South Sudan, a nation born of struggle and immense sacrifice, faces a crisis that threatens its very future: the erosion of its youth. Across towns, villages, and cities, young people are being lost — not only to bullets in ongoing conflicts but also to drugs, despair, and political manipulation.
The impact is profound. Many youths remain alive but trapped in cycles of trauma, substance abuse, and violence. Unemployment and lack of opportunity push some toward drugs.
Others are pulled into local disputes over land, cattle, or ethnic rivalries. Many fall prey to political elites, wielding weapons instead of providing education, hope, and a chance for meaningful participation in society.
This is more than the loss of individuals; it is the loss of dreams, leadership, and national potential. When a young person chooses a gun over a book, it reflects a society that has failed to offer them hope.
The South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) believes the solution lies in recognizing youth as the most powerful agents of change. The movement proposes a multi-pronged approach to reclaim and empower the next generation:
1. Rehabilitation and Reintegration
Establish youth recovery centers to support those affected by drugs and violence.
Provide trauma healing, counseling, and community support.
Offer amnesty and reintegration pathways for youth involved in militias and local conflicts.
2. Skills and Economic Empowerment
Provide vocational training in agriculture, ICT, construction, and entrepreneurship.
Establish economic empowerment funds to support small businesses and innovation.
Incentivize private-sector participation in youth employment initiatives.
3. Youth in Governance and Peacebuilding
Ensure youth representation in political parties, governance institutions, and peace talks.
Create peace clubs, civic education programs, and cultural society engagement.
Train youth as peace ambassadors to mediate local disputes.
4. Education as a Tool Against Conflict
Revamp the education system to be inclusive, free at primary and secondary levels, and contextually relevant.
Prioritize girls’ education, close gender gaps, and protect against early marriage.
Establish mobile schools in conflict-affected areas and cattle camps.
5. National Youth Service Program
Launch a non-military National Youth Service promoting unity, patriotism, and skills development.
Engage youth in infrastructure development, environmental conservation, public health, and voluntary community service.
A Call to Action
The wealth of South Sudan is not its oil or minerals — it is its youth. A nation that loses its young people loses its future. Conversely, a nation that nurtures its youth, protects them, and gives them purpose can thrive even amid adversity.
It is time to reclaim our youth from the grip of drugs, from the clutches of conflict, and from the shadows of despair. By investing in their education, skills, and leadership, South Sudan can secure a peaceful and prosperous future.
The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of SZN.
