PHOTO CREDIT: Johnson Poru Hillary. Youth make up the majority of South Sudan’s population. Advocates argue that without their meaningful inclusion, long lasting peace and sustainable development may remain elusive.
(ADDIS ABABA) – A South Sudanese youth peace advocate has called on political leaders in South Sudan to prioritise the inclusion of young people in governance and peacebuilding processes, both at the national and community level.
Johnson Poru Hillary, a youth representative from South Sudan, made the remarks after participating in a regional peace training for young African leaders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The three day training which concluded over the weekend brought together youth voices from across the Eastern African region to strengthen their capacities in peace and security negotiations.
Speaking during the event, Poru emphasised the importance of preparing youth to take part in key national discussions, particularly those relating to governance, conflict prevention, and service delivery.
“It is important to ensure that young people are not just passive observers but active participants in negotiations at all levels of governance,” he said. “Only then can grassroots communities continue to access uninterrupted services and stability.”
Poru noted that the African Union is already advancing mechanisms to empower youth across the East African Community by training and supporting their involvement in peace and security frameworks. The Addis Ababa training was part of broader efforts to build youth led responses to regional challenges.
“This programme marks a significant milestone for the region and for Africa,” he said. “It strengthens the development of young people who are confident and skilled enough to lead dialogues, mediate disputes, and promote peace in their communities.”
He stressed that youth engagement is crucial to preventing violence and bridging political divisions. Poru said inclusive dialogue can encourage political leaders to move away from entrenched positions and towards compromise, contributing to long term regional stability.
“We are committed to scaling up active dialogue with leaders across member states,” he added. “This feedback and engagement are critical to refining our strategies and enhancing our ability to build peace.”
Poru also acknowledged the support of organisations such as ACCORD (The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes), which have facilitated previous capacity building efforts in peace and security. He credited these initiatives with helping young leaders from South Sudan and other nations gain practical negotiation and leadership skills.
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