Ministries, Partners to Launch Youth Engagement Initiatives to Curb Crimes

Fred Morgan July 16, 2026 2 min read

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(JUBA) – Authorities in Central Equatoria State and national government institutions in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are set to roll out a youth-focused initiative aimed at reducing criminal activities and promoting peace among young people in Juba and its neighboring areas.

The collaborative programe will bring together the Central Equatoria State Ministries of Culture, Youth and Sports, General Education and Instruction and Peacebuilding, alongside the National Ministry of Peacebuilding, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (MHA), and UNHCR.

The initiative, scheduled to begin next week, will target young people and teenagers involved in gang-related activities across Juba City as well as parts of Luri and Rejaf.

Officials say the project seeks to address the root causes of youth involvement in crime by creating opportunities for positive engagement, community participation and peacebuilding activities.

As part of the intervention, Peace Clubs will be established in schools to encourage dialogue, conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence among students.

The programe will also conduct awareness campaigns aimed at educating young people on the dangers of criminal involvement and the importance of becoming productive members of society.

The partners believe that empowering youth through education, mentorship and community-based activities will help reduce gang-related violence while strengthening social cohesion in communities affected by youth crime.

The initiative comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of youth gangs and criminal activities in parts of Juba and surrounding areas, with stakeholders calling for coordinated efforts to provide young people with alternatives to violence and criminal behaviour.

Authorities and humanitarian partners expressed optimism that the programme will contribute to building safer communities and fostering a culture of peace among the next generation.