Lainya Youth: Our Voices Must Guide Local Policy

(LAINYA COUNTY) – As South Sudan joined the world in commemorating International Youth Day on 12 August 2025, youth leaders in Lainya County, Central Equatoria state, called on the government to prioritise youth inclusion and empowerment initiatives at the local level.

Emmanuel Khamis, the county’s youth chairperson, told Access Radio that involving young people in key decision making processes strengthens their participation in governance and development.

He highlighted that grassroots youth voices are often overlooked, which undermines efforts to promote peace, unity and reconciliation in the area.

“The voices of youth are not heard at the local level and this has made many young people reluctant to participate in important governance and development programmes,” Khamis said.

Khamis urged the government and development partners, including NGOs, to focus on youth empowerment through vocational training, education, healthcare, agriculture and business initiatives.

He stressed that such programmes would make young people productive and prevent their involvement in social and economic crimes or substance abuse.

“Empowering the young population will make them productive and prevent them from participating in social and economic crimes as well as drug abuse,” he added.

He also called on the youth to promote love, peace and unity among themselves.

Meanwhile, Taban Andrew John, a youth advocate, encouraged young people in the county to celebrate the strength, ambition and determination of South Sudanese youth.

Speaking as a Champion of the Voice of the Voiceless Youth Leadership Initiative, he said, “Youth are not a distant promise. They are the living force of change today. You are called not to wait for opportunity, but to create it, not to drift with the tide, but to set the course.”

He encouraged young leaders to act with vision and integrity, stating that the destiny of nations is shaped not by those who shrink from duty, but by those who rise to it.”