Youth lawyer and activist Aggrey Duku Arkangelo has officially declared his candidacy for the chairmanship of the Central Equatoria State Youth Union (CES-YU), unveiling an ambitious agenda centered on peacebuilding, economic empowerment, and institutional reform ahead of the union’s 2026–2030 elections.
Arkangelo, a practicing advocate and longtime youth leader, announced his bid under the campaign theme “Peaceful, United, Transformed Union (PUTU)”, positioning himself as a candidate committed to strengthening youth participation in governance and transforming the union into a more inclusive and effective platform for young people across Central Equatoria State.
The declaration marks the formal entry of one of the state’s most experienced youth leaders into what is expected to be a closely watched contest for the leadership of the influential youth body.
Speaking during the launch of his campaign, Arkangelo said the time had come for a new generation of leadership capable of addressing the challenges facing young people while creating opportunities for social and economic advancement.
“Our diversity is not our weakness; it is our greatest strength,” he said. “United across tribes, beliefs, and backgrounds, we can build a stronger, more peaceful, and more impactful Youth Union.”
A graduate of the University of Juba School of Law, Arkangelo enters the race with a track record that spans student leadership, community mobilization, youth advocacy, and legal practice.
His leadership journey includes serving as Chairperson of the University of Juba Equatoria Students’ Cultural Association, where he championed student welfare and cultural cohesion. He also served as Secretary General of the Federation of African Law Students (FALAS), South Sudan Chapter, and later chaired the Electoral Commission during a FALAS conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
At the grassroots level, Arkangelo previously served as Secretary General of the Kakwa Youth Wing, a role that exposed him to the challenges facing young people in communities across the region.
Supporters say this blend of legal expertise, youth activism, and organizational leadership gives him a unique advantage in the race.
Central to Arkangelo’s campaign is a vision of building a more united and development-oriented youth union capable of responding to the needs of young people regardless of tribe, religion, or political affiliation.
He has pledged to prioritize capacity building, leadership development, and civic engagement among youth, while working to reduce divisions that have historically undermined collective action among young people.
To achieve these goals, Arkangelo has proposed a 100-day strategic implementation framework known as NASTA, which he says will guide the union’s priority programs immediately after assuming office if elected.
The framework is designed to accelerate policy implementation and ensure that campaign promises translate into measurable action within the first months of leadership.
Under his proposed agenda, peacebuilding will form a major pillar of the union’s work.
Arkangelo plans to engage youth in reconciliation initiatives, establish community-based peace committees, and promote cultural and sporting activities aimed at strengthening social cohesion among young people from different backgrounds.
He also intends to create platforms that support the rehabilitation and reintegration of youth affected by gang activity, communal violence, and other forms of social conflict.
Economic empowerment constitutes the second pillar of his campaign.
The youthful lawyer has pledged to advocate for expanded access to agricultural opportunities, entrepreneurship training, micro-financing initiatives, and youth-led cooperatives.
He has further committed himself to lobbying for the implementation of policies and legislation aimed at supporting youth enterprise development and job creation.
According to Arkangelo, unemployment remains one of the greatest threats facing young people and requires innovative solutions driven by both government and community stakeholders.
His third pillar focuses on advocacy, research, and external engagement.
Under this proposal, CES-YU would establish youth research centers to generate data-driven policy recommendations while strengthening partnerships with South Sudanese youth in the diaspora and regional organizations across East Africa.
Arkangelo believes such collaborations would expose young people to new ideas, professional networks, and development opportunities beyond South Sudan’s borders.
Political observers say the race for CES-YU leadership is likely to attract significant attention because of the union’s growing role in youth mobilization and advocacy across Central Equatoria State.
The organization has increasingly become a platform through which young people engage government institutions, development partners, and civil society organizations on issues affecting their future.
As the election season gathers momentum, Arkangelo is expected to campaign across counties and communities within Central Equatoria, seeking support from delegates who will ultimately decide the union’s next leadership.
In his closing remarks, he called on young people to rally behind a vision of unity, accountability, and transformation.
“We are the leaders of today and tomorrow,” Arkangelo said. “Let us choose unity, progress, and transformation.”
The Central Equatoria State Youth Union elections are expected to determine the leadership that will guide the organization for the next four years, with delegates from across the state set to cast their votes during the forthcoming convention.
