Activist Urges Yei Council to Pass By-laws to Address Youth Gangs and Roaming Goats

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – A civil society leader in South Sudan’s Yei River County is calling on the County Legislative Council to deliberate on and resolve the growing problem of youth gangs in Yei town.

Modi Arkangelo, the head of the Yei Civil Society Forum, says the increasing formation of gang groups attacking each other and local residents is posing serious security threats to the community.

Arkangelo says the council should prioritize passing a resolution to address the problem, noting that groups of young boys between the ages of 16 and 20 frequently clash in different parts of the town.

He says the situation has restricted movement, with some youths unable to cross into areas controlled by rival groups. This, he says, is affecting access to education and other essential services.

“People in the town are still struggling with the problem of gang groups, and this should be a top priority for the councilors to address by passing a resolution. Currently, there are groups of boys between the ages of 16 and 20 who frequently attack each other. In some cases, members of one group cannot cross into areas controlled by another group. This situation has prevented them and other residents from accessing education and other essential services. These issues have been happening in the community for a long time, and we want the council, together with the community, to find solutions to this problem.”

Meanwhile, as the rainy season begins, Arkangelo is also urging the council to introduce by-laws to control roaming goats within residential areas and the town center.

“The council should look into issues affecting the people and come up with by-laws to address them. Now that the rainy season has started, we want the council to pass regulations to prevent roaming goats from destroying people’s crops and gardens in the town.” he said.

Arkangelo adds that civil society organizations are ready to work closely with the legislative council on capacity building, advocacy, policy development and strengthening local governance.

The Yei River County Legislative Council recently resumed operations after being non-operational for more nearly two years since 2024.

Earlier this month, the Speaker of the Council, Claudio Mila Charles, said the council will prioritize its oversight role by addressing pressing issues affecting residents across the county’s five Payams.

He says key priorities will include improving service delivery and passing by-laws that respond to community concerns.