The South Sudan National Youth Union (SSNYU) has called on lawmakers and key ministries to fast-track youth-related legislation that remains stalled in Parliament or trapped in draft stages across institutions.
The call was made during a press conference held Wednesday evening in Juba following a three-day youth legislation workshop in Juba.
Thess Marial Rong Ayok, SSNYU’s Secretary of Information, said young people have been sidelined from the post-conflict recovery process.
“Youth make up more than 70% of South Sudan’s population. Their inclusion in legislation, governance, and development must be intentional and immediate,” he emphasized.
According to Ayok, the bill “was neither properly disseminated nor subjected to inclusive consultation” and fails to capture the genuine aspirations of South Sudan’s youth and sports communities.
She is urging that the bill be split, recommending the introduction of a standalone National Youth Council Bill that undergoes broader consultation with young people nationwide.
“The current version under review by the Ministry of Justice appears to dismantle the existing structure, vision, and mandate of the National Youth Union,” Ayok warned.
The event was organized by SSNYU in partnership with Markaz Al Salam with a support of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).
Held under the theme “Enhancing Youth-Led Legislative Reform in South Sudan,” the forum brought together youth leaders, policymakers, and officials from four ministries, Youth and Sports, Higher Education, Justice, and Gender, Child, and Social Welfare.
The workshop reviewed five critical bills: the Youth Development Policy Bill, Youth Enterprise Development Fund Bill, Women Enterprise Development Fund Bill, National Youth and Sports Council Bill, and the Students’ Support/Welfare Fund Bill.
While the Youth Development Policy Bill is already at its second reading in Parliament, others remain either poorly drafted or procedurally stuck.
SSNYU expressed concern over the National Youth and Sports Council Bill, which it says lacks proper consultation and undermines existing youth structures.
The Union is demanding the bill be split to allow for a dedicated National Youth Council Bill reflecting broader youth voices.
The Union concluded the workshop with a five-point demand, urging expedited reviews, structural reforms to key bills, increased youth programming budgets, and stronger youth representation in national policy.
SSNYU vowed to keep lobbying Parliament and relevant ministries to ensure youth are no longer excluded from South Sudan’s legislative and developmental agenda.
