Youth representatives gathered Tuesday at the Political Parties Leadership Forum (PPLF) office in Juba calling on the IGAD mediators and the international community to put more pressure on the warring parties in South Sudan to immediately sign a deal in Addis Ababa.
The peace talks resumed on Monday with representatives of PPLF and the main SPLM/A factions in attendance. Youth leaders say they too would like to join the IGAD-facilitated talks in order to present a position paper.
David Ali Tipo, representing Youth Empowerment and Advocacy Forum, said peace efforts spearheaded by IGAD have not yielded a permanent resolution to the conflicts as expected.
“The warring parties must fully commit themselves to the cessation of hostilities agreement, adhere to it and truly show patriotism to end the crisis,” he said.
Tipo also called for youth representation at the talks: “We passionately call upon the warring parties and other stakeholders involved in the peace process to ensure that youth are represented at least by 30%.”
He noted that there are large numbers of arms in circulation, continuing political wrangles in the SPLM party, and recruitment of child soldiers.
Bush Buse Ako, representing Equatoria Students Union in Uganda, highlighted that youth have been the primary victims of the war, saying they are the ones facing battle and therefore they are the ones who can end the crisis.
“Today we have come openly voicing our demands to IGAD and the international community on how we want this conflict to be resolved, because the elders and the leaders in the government and opposition alone cannot bring peace to South Sudan,” Ako said.
James Ochan, representing People with Disabilities, said that there is need for a quick solution to the crisis: “We have children suffering and affected by the conflict and this has increased the number of disabled people in country, that is why we are calling for immediate solution.”
“Transitional inclusive government of national unity is paramount – hence we suggest that the transitional period be three years and its mandate include security sector reform, constitutional reform, election arrangement, education, youth employment, good governance, infrastructure, justice, national healing, peace and reconciliation,” he said.