South Sudan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Joseph Geng Aketch, has called on the nation’s young people to lead a “second liberation,” this time not through conflict, but through education, peace, and unity.
Dr. Geng made the appeal during International Youth Day celebrations at Rock City Playing Ground over the weekend. The event was organized by Shabab Le Shabab in partnership with the National Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Addressing a large crowd of youth, civil society leaders, and international partners, Dr. Geng emphasized that the future of South Sudan rests on its young people, who form majority of the population.
“Anyone might call it the second liberation — it is to embrace education, values, and unity so that South Sudan may prosper,” he stated.
Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator Anita Kiki Gbeho praised local youth for their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stressing that their involvement in peacebuilding and innovation is critical as South Sudan navigates humanitarian, political, and environmental challenges.
“By investing in their education, health, and economic empowerment, we unlock one of the most powerful drivers of social progress — youth,” she said.
In a statement, Markaz Al Salam (MAS), a non-profit organization supported by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), highlighted the transformative power of youth-led initiatives in advancing peacebuilding, Conflict resolution and entrepreneurship.
The organization affirmed that young people are not passive bystanders but “active architects of progress,” demonstrating remarkable resilience despite conflict and limited opportunities.
MAS used the event to advocate for the swift passage of key youth-focused legislation, including Student Support Fund Bill which aims to provide financial assistance to students, promoting access to education and contributing to SDGs 3, 4, 5, and 16.
It also called for the speedy enactment of Women and Youth Enterprise Fund Bill, designed to facilitate loans for entrepreneurs, helping them start or expand businesses and supporting SDGs 1, 2, 3, 8, and 12.
Another bill is the Youth National Development Policy which would establish a clear framework for national youth development and the Sports and Youth Bill that will support sports development and youth organizational structures, promoting SDGs 4, 8, 11, and 17.
The organization further called for increased investment in youth development and strengthened partnerships with government institutions, civil society, and other development partners to unlock youth potential.
“As we commemorate International Youth Day, MAS reaffirms its commitment to empowering young people and amplifying their voices,” the statement concluded.
Development partners such as UNDP, UNFPA, NPA, and RISD pledged their continued support for youth initiatives in South Sudan, reinforcing the call for education, skills development, and peaceful civic engagement.
Across the country, young people have shown incredible determination, rising to meet contemporary challenges with courage and creativity to shape the nation’s future.
