South Sudan organizing national youth convention in Juba
May 20, 2024 (JUBA)- South Sudan is organizing a national youth convention to identify young people with leadership skills and ambition to steer the country.
The Youth and Sports ministry is organizing the event due from May 22-24.
Held after every four years, the gathering brings delegates and observers from all the states and administrative areas in the capital, Juba to elect new leaders.
There have been calls for a national agenda in the country fractured by unorganized politics and ethnic feuds, having separated from Sudan in 2011.
This is despite its leaders promising a harmonous, peaceful and stable nation.
Candidates for the position of chairman of the national union have been nominated by their respective states and sent to the election committee, formed by the ministry.
Criteria for delegates sent by the states to participate in the election of the leadership were drawn up under the provisions of the constitution regulating youth affairs.
The Youth and Sports minister, Joseph Geng Akech explained the importance of the national youth union and the role of his ministry in organizing the event.
“The union is elected every four years by delegates drawn from the states and administrative areas including dispose and youth with special needs”, he said.
The youthful minister is seen by many young people as someone who understands their issues and would address challenges facing young people, with education and employment as issues with which he grapples to find a solution.
With less than a year in office, he is accredited with many successful efforts within a short time span.
Many in public and private institutions as well as foreign partners have praised his leadership skills for peacefully organizing the South Sudan Basketball Association, culminating in the election of the basketball star, Luol Deng as the new president.
Akech described the holding of the third National Youth Convention as unique, pointing to upcoming elections planned for December 2024.
Many agree with his assessment and description of the uniqueness of this year’s election, citing not just the theme under which they are organized but personal involvement and guidance.
Under the theme: Youth United for Peace, development and Nation Building are being held at the time the country and its leadership prepare for the first elections since gaining statehood from Sudan in 2011, following the conduct of a referendum in compliance with a provision of the 2005 comprehensive peace agreement, containing a self-determination clause for Southern region.
“The youth election is happening in a year where the country is bracing for its democratic general elections and hopes are high that this could be a test of the country’s readiness”, said Akech.
Praised for hard work, observers have pointed out the uniqueness and importance of this year’s convention, citing the appointment of an energetic and youthful minister, working in harmony with the undersecretary and the new team with a vision aimed at preparing the youth to engage in peaceful politics and democracy.
James Mawien, a South Sudanese lawyer described youth as the future, present, and hopes for the country.
“Everyone is watching the actions and activities of the minister and his team because that ministry represents the aspirations of an important section of the society. The youth are not just anybody. They are the future of any country. They represent hope and they are the face of society. If you look now, those fighting and raiding cattle in the countryside are young people. Those in the military, the police, and security are young people. What is their concern, it is simple. They are looking for education and employment. And these are the two critical issues facing young people and therefore the government must work hard to find a solution for these concerns”, explained Mawien.
He said South Sudan, like many other developing countries in the world, has a large population of youth blighted by poverty, inequality, unemployment and poor health, among others.
“The gravity of these challenges requires multi-pronged efforts to promote the development of sustainable livelihoods, reduce poverty, and inequality, and prioritize the development of policies which create an enabling environment for youth participation in the governance. It plays a leading role in ensuring that all major stakeholders, i.e. government, the private sector, and civil society, prioritize youth participation to spur development and contribute towards identifying and implementing lasting solutions that address issues concerning youth”, he stressed.
The objective of this important conference is to mobilize, organize and empower youth with leadership skills to effectively contribute to the governance and implementation of national programs and vision.
(ST)