By Kitab Unango
South Sudan’s Ministry of Peace-building with support from United Nations has launched youth led peace building project that will be implemented within two years from now.
The UN Peace-building Fund to tune of three million U.S dollars will ensure exclusivity of young women and men in the ongoing peace process. These two groups constitute over 70 per cent of the population.
Stephen Pal, the Minister of Peace-building, said youth need to play active role as peace ambassadors.
“Youth should own the peace process, and if youth are used in peacebuilding we can achieve manful peace in this country,” Pal said during the launch of the peacebuilding fund in Juba, the capital of South Sudan on Wednesday.
Julia Banda, the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Country Representative, said the project can achieve it’s intended goal if the government guarantee fundamental freedom of expression, and movement to young people to lead and disseminate peace across the country.
“Freedom of expression and freedom of movement should be guaranteed so that youth can take active role in the peace process,” Banda said.
Ademola Olajide, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, emphasized the importance of youth involvement at all levels of the peace process.
“Youth should be involved in all processes of peace including conflict prevention, peacebuilding and implementation process,” Olajide said.
The project is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
South Sudan’s parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement are struggling to complete range of outstanding issues prior to holding elections in December 2024.
The parties are yet to complete enactment of permanent constitution, graduation of the 83,000 unified forces and also establishing of key electoral laws and institutions.
