By Chol D. Johnson
Senior government officials have urged young women in South Sudan to actively participate in politics emphasizing that leadership is not something to wait for but something to step into.
Speaking during Youth engagement Forum, Mary Apayi Ayiga, Second Deputy Chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, told students that young people are not “leaders of tomorrow,” but leaders of today.
“You must take the initiative now,” she said, encouraging students to pursue education and prepare themselves for national responsibility. Ayiga described herself as a simple and accessible leader whose office remains open to the public, particularly young people seeking guidance.
The officials reiterate their call for women participation during Motivationa speech and youth civic club organized by Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa in parterneship with Ministry of Peace Building.
The event was under aimed at promoting young women’s meaningful political participation in South Sudan by building their capacity to safely and meaningfully engage in governance and Peacebuilding process.
She stressed that South Sudan’s challenges cannot be blamed solely on politicians or the international community. “All of us have contributed negatively toward this country,” she said, calling for collective responsibility and patriotism.
She urged youth to abandon tribal divisions, harmful cultural practices, and destructive public discourse, particularly on social media.
Ayiga also emphasized education as a pillar of national transformation, noting that countries that invest heavily in science and knowledge are better positioned for development. She encouraged students to focus on self-improvement rather than demonstrations that disrupt learning.
Echoing similar sentiments, Pia Philip Michael, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Peacebuilding in the South Sudan, directly challenged young women to enter politics.
“If you are waiting to be invited, nobody will ever invite you,” she said. “You must go to politics.”
Philip rejected the idea that politics is inherently negative, defining it instead as the process by which individuals pursue what they want in life. From convincing parents to pay school fees to advocating for community needs, she said, politics is part of everyday life.
She called on young women to speak up on issues such as gender-based violence and to represent their communities. “Nobody brings you peace in a basket,” she said, adding that peace must be planted and nurtured like a seed in fertile soil.
Both officials underscored that peace is the foundation for development, warning that conflict and hatred only reproduce instability. They reminded students that the country ultimately belongs to them and that the older generation will eventually step aside.
“You will never get another country better than this one,” Ayiga said. “Nobody will build it for you.”
The forum concluded with a strong appeal for unity, education, and proactive leadership, particularly among young women, as South Sudan continues its nation-building journey.