Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan is challenging the African youth to begin thinking aloud and making relevant suggestions towards rebuilding the continent.

He has condemned the practice where the youth only avail themselves during elections to be used as riot objects.

He said: “as individuals you have lots of power not only in the political arena even in the areas of environment, you have power by the choices you make, what you decide to buy and which product you boycott”.

He added: “when you decide to organise yourselves leaders will emerge amongst you, accept and respect them don’t say who is he to want to lead.

“Some people can lead because they have been giving the authority to lead others have the natural ability that comes up, so either you identify that individual and you all follow or that individual would emerge and you follow”.

The former UN General Secretary made the comments when he engaged some youth during his dialogue series on youth empowerment.