A fierce contest to win the hearts and minds of Young people in Northern Bahr El Ghazal state is unfolding with senior government officials pouring millions of pounds into youth organizations in what many critics see as a bid to regain influence and rebuild political Support.
The latest show of generosity came during a Youth Peace Rally organized by the Northern Bahr El Ghazal State Youth Union in collaboration with UNMISS on Thursday in Awiel Town, where top government officials announced a 50 million SSP donation to the Northern Bahr El Ghazal Youth Union.
The donations come against a backdrop of growing criticism from Aweil youths, many of whom have openly challenged national leaders on social media and during public events in recent months.
Political observers also point to the lukewarm reception Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol received during a recent visit to the state as a sign of strained relations between the youth and some national leaders.
The issue also surfaced during a fundraising event for Aweil South Football Club in Juba at Yam Hotel, where Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny acknowledged the decline in his popularity from Aweil Youth and expressed confidence that he could regain Youth support quickly.
In another notable gesture, Abdelbagi last week donated 10 motorcycles to the Aweil East County Youth Union in Amerjal village, aimed to improve mobility and coordination at the county level.
As donations continue to flow, many youths and intellectuals of the area see a growing effort by political leaders to reconnect with the constituency ahead of expected political contests, drawing a new battle line in the struggle for influence and grassroots support in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state.
