Youth in the conflict-ridden Yei region of South Sudan have strongly voiced their demands for peace and stressed the importance of involving them in the national dialogue initiated by President Kiir.

Yei is located about 150 kilometres south of Juba, and is a strategic outpost on the main trading route with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The situation in the region is dire. A large number of local residents fled last year after fierce fighting erupted between government and opposition forces, leaving Yei largely a ghost town.

Moses Yatta, the secretary general of Yei youth, said majority of the local youth in Yei have suffered due to the ongoing conflict in the area. Since the outbreak of the conflict in Yei, the youth leader said, most of the local youth have been arrested, tortured, displaced and killed.

Yatta condemned the dire situation in Yei and called on the world body and human rights groups to put pressure on the two warring parties so the local youth can be given a chance to be part of the national dialogue.

Yei will be in a downward spiral of civil conflict if the youth are not involved in the national dialogue process in the country,” according to Yatta.

 “The youth should be included in the national dialogue as it has been announced by the country’s president. If we are not included then there will be no realization of the national dialogue,” he said.

He accused the state government of failing to represent their voice.