Youth leaders from rival South Sudan groups pledge peace after Abyei clashes
April 24, 2025 (JUBA) – Youth leaders from South Sudan’s Warrap state and the contested Abyei region have committed to fostering peace and reconciliation following deadly inter-communal violence that erupted in 2022, representatives said Thursday.
The pledge was announced following a peacebuilding conference in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal state, where youth from the Twic Dinka community of Warrap and the Ngok Dinka community of the Abyei Administrative Area met to rebuild relations.
Clashes between the two communities broke out in February 2022 over land disputes, claiming hundreds of lives, wounding thousands, and severely restricting movement and commerce between the neighbouring areas for over two years. Abyei is an oil-rich territory claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan.
The Wau conference, attended by government officials from both Warrap state and the Abyei administration, aimed to find ways to allow the safe movement of people and goods and facilitate the resumption of services between the communities.
“This initiative will create a forum for the two youth [groups] to address mechanisms for cessation of hostilities and disengaging youth from violence and encouraging a culture of peace,” said Deng Aguer, chairperson of the Abyei Youth Union, in a statement.
He added that the union believes dialogue is the only path to sustainable peace and aims to rebuild trust after the conflict severely damaged the social fabric.
The dialogue process was supported by Concordis International, an organisation focused on peacebuilding. Stephen Mayuen Mou Akoon, a project manager for the group in Abyei, said the initiative involved regular meetings encouraging youth from both sides to listen and find common ground, rather than debating.
“One of the key aspects of the dialogue process is its focus on inclusivity… actively seeking to include representatives from all ethnic groups,” Akoon said, adding this helps build trust and shared ownership.
Akoon acknowledged challenges, including addressing historical grievances and overcoming prejudice, but highlighted the participants’ resilience. He also commended the role played by state ministers of peacebuilding in Abyei and Warrap in facilitating the dialogues.
“Youth play a vital role in shaping the future of their communities through their energies, creativity and their potential for positive change,” Aguer stated, emphasising their contribution to stability and peace.