S. Sudan youth leader urges peace and unity at Xmas

December 20, 2011 (JUBA) – As South Sudanese population join the rest of the world to celebrate Christmas, a youth leader from the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region is calling for peace and unity in the country.

Speaking in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, Angok Arthur Akuien, chairperson of Greater Bahr el Ghazal Youth Union (GBYU) said the festive season should be a time when youth can reflect on what contributions they can make to society in a peaceful and non-violent manner.

“Youths of the entire South Sudan have proved that they can make valuable contributions to the country. I would like to take this great opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year in the name of peace and unity,” said Akuien.

Takuien also underscored the fundamental role played by South Sudanese youth in the liberation struggle of the 1980s up to the time of South Sudan’s independence which was attained on 9 July 2011.

He urged the youth to unite and organise themselves for the stability and prosperity of South Sudan.

South Sudanese youth, according the 2008 housing and population census, account for over 70 percent of the population.

Recently the youth demanded 10 percent representation in government as part of resolutions derived from the Greater Bahr el Ghazal youth strategy and planning conference held in Aweil,the Northern Bahr el Ghazal state capital in November.

(ST)