[PRESS RELEASE] – Charter Calls for Creation of National Youth Council in South Sudan

(JUBA) – A coalition of South Sudanese civil society organisations has called on the government to officially endorse and implement the newly launched National Youth Charter, a framework developed to amplify youth voices and integrate their needs into national development and governance processes.

The Constitution Making and Democratic Engagement Consortium (CMDEC) released a statement on 25 July 2025 following the formal launch of the Charter on 22 July in Juba. The event, organised in partnership with the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and several youth organisations, marked what the group described as a significant milestone in South Sudan’s ongoing constitution-making efforts.

The Charter is described as more than a policy document. According to CMDEC, it represents a “social contract” between the state, civil society and the country’s youth population, laying out a framework for engagement in areas such as education, employment, health, civic participation, entrepreneurship  and environmental protection.

In their press statement, CMDEC emphasised that South Sudan’s future prosperity depends on the success of its youth, describing young people not merely as future leaders, but as “change-makers of today.” Despite this, the group noted that youth perspectives are often overlooked in national decision making.

The Charter was developed through wide consultations involving youth leaders, educators, and community stakeholders. It aims to provide a clear and unified vision for addressing the challenges facing South Sudan’s young population, who form a majority of the population but remain largely underrepresented in national planning and policy.

Among the six key demands outlined in the statement is a formal government endorsement of the Charter to guide youth related policies and programmes. CMDEC called for the Ministry of Youth and Sports to take the lead in ensuring effective implementation, backed by sufficient funding, collaboration between ministries, and clear accountability measures.

Another major proposal is the formation of a National Youth Council tasked with monitoring the Charter’s progress and keeping young people actively involved in policymaking.

The group also urged full inclusion of all youth, particularly those in the armed forces and cattle camps, in consultations related to the Charter and the constitution making process. CMDEC argued that these groups must not be excluded if the Charter is to reflect the diverse realities of youth across the country.

CMDEC further pressed for implementation of the security arrangements outlined in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). This, they said, would improve access to youth living in conflict-affected areas, including parts of Upper Nile, Central Equatoria, and Western Equatoria.

Finally, the statement pointed out that the constitution making process cannot be successful if key political actors remain inactive. It urged the presidency and all R-ARCSS parties to commit to dialogue and peace as a means of ensuring inclusive progress.

In their concluding remarks, CMDEC called on national leaders to treat the Youth Charter as a national investment in resilience, innovation, and inclusive development.

“This is not just about policy,” the statement said. “It is about partnership and declaring, in clear and unambiguous terms, how our nation’s future will be shaped by its youth.”

The CMDEC operates both within South Sudan and in refugee communities in Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.