S. Sudan: Greater Bahr el Ghazal youth call for peace

October 10, 2011 (JUBA) The youth fraternity in South Sudan’s Greater Bahr el Ghazal region on Monday urged government to promote for peace and unity in the entire county, three months after it attained its independence from North Sudan.

In an interview with Sudan Tribune, Angok Arthur Akuein Chol, the Chairperson of Greater Bahr el Ghazal youths expressed optimism that youth; the most active age group can play fundamental roles in South Sudan’s nation building process.

The youth entity, Chol said, currently encompasses youths from South Sudan’s Lakes, Warrap, Northern Bahr El Ghazal State and Western Bahr El Ghazal states, with a vision aimed at empowering the youth to be self-reliant.

“Our vision is centered on empowering the youth through capacity building activities into entreprenueral individuals who take responsibility in caring for their region and reach out to their community in promoting unity, peace, development and prosperity,” he said.

A youth, according to the UN definition, is anyone aged between the 15 to 24 years. While today’s youth population reportedly constitutes nearly 18 percent of the global population, Sudan’s 2008 population and housing census estimated that youths represented 70 percent of the total southern population.

Greater Bahr el Ghazal youth is set to organize a four-day strategy and planning conference next month aimed at seeking to identify the key areas of challenges affecting the region in a bid to promote peace and prosperity.

Already earmarked from November 24-27, the conference, which will take place in Aweil, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal state capital will reportedly address issues related to health, education, employment, peace and security, capacity building and other youth challenges.

“It is in our interest that we the children of Greater Bahr el Ghazal, unite and work towards a shared vision and goal for the betterment of our nation and prosperity of youths within the region,” Chol said.

On several occasions, South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir has underscored the role of the youth in the country’s long years of struggle, pledging his government’s full commitment to empower them at all levels.

(ST)

(ST)