A five-day youth conference kicked off in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal region on Wednesday with calls for peace.

More than 300 youth attended the event convened to discuss conflict mitigation, unity, peace and development, among others.

Speaking during the opening of the youth conference  in Aweil town, commander of the  South Sudanese army’s third infantry division, Gen. Dau Aturjong said youth should always get together to deliberate on important issues.

“I have been invited to come and attend this conference, actually this conference is good for youth to come together to share their common things,” he said.

Aturjong, who represented Aweil State governor, urged the youth in South Sudan to embark on peace and development initiatives.

The conference came in the wake of a proposed plan from Aweil Catholic parish to build the capacity of its youth in all walks of life.

Aweil Catholic parish priest, Fr. Joseph Majok said the church has been working hard to develop the capacity of its members and especially the youth because of their vital roles in peace promotion.

Mary Aguak said she was happy to be part of the youth conference.

“I feel good having attended the conference. We understood many good things since we arrived here,” she told Radio Tamazuj.

According to estimates, 72 per cent of South Sudan’s 12.4 million population are 30 years old and below.