South Sudan, where more than 70% of the population is under 35, systematically excludes its youth from nearly every level of political power, according to new data released by a coalition of advocacy groups.
The analysis, compiled by Markaz Al Salam in collaboration with the South Sudan National Youth Union with support from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), reveals stark underrepresentation in a nation still rebuilding from civil war.
The report seen by Radio Tamazuj Tuesday provides a stark numerical breakdown of the exclusion. The president, all five vice presidents, and every state governor are over 36 years old, resulting in zero youth representation in the country’s highest executive offices. Youth hold less than 5% of national ministerial and deputy ministerial posts.
In the National Legislative Assembly, only 23 of 550 members, just 4.18%, are youth, one of the lowest rates documented. At the state level, no governor is under 36, and only two of ten deputy governors are youth. Representation among state ministers is critically low, with several states, including Eastern Equatoria, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap, and Upper Nile, reporting zero youth ministers.
The picture is uneven at the county commissioner level. While Jonglei reports 44.3% youth commissioners and Central Equatoria 33.3%, states like Western Equatoria, Unity, Western Bahr El Ghazal, and Upper Nile report zero youth holding these local leadership posts.
“Youth inclusion is neither policy-driven nor institutionally embedded but instead occurs sporadically and without meaningful influence,” the report states, warning that this approach “ultimately undermines inclusive governance, national ownership, and long-term political stability.”
The exclusion is compounded for young women. Across all governance structures, female youth participation remains “critically low,” with youth representation where it exists being overwhelmingly male-dominated.
The analysis identifies key systemic barriers, including the absence of binding legal quotas, discretionary appointment practices, age thresholds, and a lack of institutionalized youth inclusion policies within political parties.
Data collection was hindered by frequent political reshuffles, a lack of publicly available age data for officials, and inconsistent record-keeping across states.
The report includes an advocacy brief directed at policymakers, parliamentarians, and international partners, urging specific actions. It calls for the enforcement of the dormant 20% youth quota outlined in the National Youth Development Policy, mandates age disclosure in all appointment and election documents, and proposes the establishment of a centralized digital repository to track youth participation. The brief also recommends strengthening the Political Parties Council to oversee and enforce youth inclusion standards across all parties and implementing targeted measures to ensure female youth are represented.
“Strengthening youth representation is both a democratic and developmental necessity,” the brief concludes. “Policymakers, parliamentarians, and international partners must collaborate to create an enabling environment for youth to meaningfully contribute to governance at all levels.”
International partners, including the United Nations, African Union and regional bloc IGAD, are urged to support initiatives aligning political representation with the country’s demographics.