Youth leaders and civil society representatives on Friday set out their priorities for 2026, calling for greater political participation, implementation of existing policies and closer coordination as South Sudan prepares for general elections in December.
The discussions in Juba brought together young people from various institutions for a dialogue convened by the youth-led NGO Markaz al Salam, in collaboration with the South Sudan National Youth Union and with support from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).
Florence Agiba, executive director of Markaz al Salam, said the meeting aimed to assess progress and agree on priorities for the year, particularly as the country moves toward elections scheduled for 2026.
“Young people had strategic discussions and came up with plans for 2026, looking at priority areas and how best they can participate,” she said.
Agiba said participants were briefed by youth representatives involved in the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, the constitutional review process and regional youth platforms, helping inform their planning.
One of the key issues discussed was how young people can contest leadership positions and advocate for the implementation of a 20% youth representation quota provided for in policy frameworks.
“We will go back to our different institutions and see how best we can implement the ideas that came up, especially on achieving the 20% quota,” she said.
Organizers said the dialogue also sought to strengthen coordination among youth in civil society, political parties and national institutions. The Juba meeting was described as the first in a series of engagements planned for the year.
Agiba urged young people to remain united and focus on nation-building.
“It is our duty to build the nation, so we should refrain from issues of conflict and come together to build our country,” she said.
Marial Rong Ayok, spokesperson for the South Sudan National Youth Union, expressed concern about rising violence and the humanitarian situation, saying “the only legitimate path forward is through dialogue and democratic processes.”
He warned that “youth are tired of vicious cycles of extension,” referring to repeated delays in holding elections, and called for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and inclusive political dialogue.
“Young people demand the opportunity to choose our leaders through the ballot, not through conflict,” Ayok said.
The union welcomed the African Union’s call for elections in 2026 and urged political leaders to renounce violence and prepare for credible polls.
Nicole Janet Isaac, a youth advocate who attended the biannual dialogue, said the forum helped participants better understand key frameworks affecting young people, particularly the national youth development policy.
“I’ve learned a lot about the different components of the policy, including the age bracket and key provisions that many young people are not aware of,” she said.
Isaac said discussions also covered proposed cybercrime legislation and emphasized the importance of open engagement among youth from different political and social backgrounds.
“These are the conversations we should continue having, looking at ourselves first as young South Sudanese and not through political labels,” she said, calling for wider dissemination of policies so that youth at the grassroots level can access information and participate meaningfully.
Young people make up the majority of South Sudan’s population, with estimates suggesting that more than 70% of citizens are under the age of 30. Despite this demographic weight, youth participation in formal politics has remained limited since the country gained independence in 2011.
Under the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, the transitional government committed to broadening political inclusion, including provisions aimed at increasing the participation of women and young people in public life. Policy frameworks, including the national youth development policy, provide for a 20% youth representation quota in certain governance structures, though implementation has been uneven.