A South Sudanese civil society activist has been recognized and awarded as one of the top 60 emerging young African leaders in 20 African countries for his role in advocating for youth inclusion and participation in governance in South Sudan.
Wani Michael, the Executive Director of the Okey Africa Foundation was awarded in an event organized by the Africa Focus Awards 2020 in Lagos-Nigeria last weekend.
Activist Wani who sits in the revitalized transitional national amendment committee as a civil society representative played a great role in advancing youth participation in different development and governance structures.
Wani told Radio Tamazuj this week that the award is a motivation for all young South Sudanese to work hard in demanding their spaces in governance and development agenda.
“This encourages us as young people to keep doing a lot of things and I am happy that I got nominated and warded and this award is not about me but it is a dedication to all the young people who are doing an amazing job fighting for their rights because the space for young people is shrinking," Wani said. "I am happy we are pushing our agenda and this award will not end with me. We need to work and unit together as young people in building a peaceful and prosperous country and a country we want.”
Wani argues that youth empowerment and inclusion in governance will swiftly promote peace and stability across the country and the region. He called on all the youth in the country to demand their share in the upcoming formation of states and local governments.
“We need to double our efforts in terms of policies and laws that will appreciate the participation of youth in political and decision-making processes and we are looking forward to seeing that youth in the state governments hold positions like deputy governors, speakers in the parliament and youth inclusion in the state and national parliaments," he said.
He added, "We also want to see that the government inject and support youth empowerment through the youth enterprise development fund to benefit the youth at the grass-root levels.”
The activist further called on the principal parties to the peace agreement to ensure full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement by enabling youth participation in the peace and development process of the country.
“The parties to the agreement need to expedite the implementation of the peace agreement. We need to see guns go silent and people need to start thinking about development. The leaders need to put their self-interests aside and speedily finish the establishment of the government,”
Wani appealed to the youth to unite and contribute towards the socio-economic development of South Sudan.
“To my fellow youth, whatsoever we do however small it is we need to keep doing the great work with a passion. As young people, we are the majority, and whatever we do has to have an impact on this country. We need to leave our differences and contribute an agenda that would form a better country everybody would desire to be in,” he concluded.