By Sabri Dibaco
The head of the organising committee of the upcoming Azande youth conference has said the initiative aims to unite young people, strengthen cultural identity, and create lasting connections among communities both at home and in the diaspora.
This significant gathering will bring together Azande youth from across the globe to engage in meaningful dialogue, cultural exchange, and discussions focused on unity, empowerment, and community development.
Speaking to No. 1 Citizen Newspaper during an interview ahead of the event, Elisa Isaiah, chairperson of the organising committee under the Azande Supreme Welfare Association (ASWA), said the idea was inspired by growing public demand for a platform where Azande youth could openly discuss challenges affecting their future.
“We realised it has taken a very long time for us as Azande to come together, especially at the youth level, to discuss concerns affecting our youth today,” Elisa said.
According to Elisa, the conference will also bridge the gap between Azande youth living abroad and those at home by creating opportunities for networking, cultural exchange, and discussions on identity, family values, career guidance, and entrepreneurship.
The conference, which organisers describe as the first of its kind in Juba, is expected to bring together youth from different backgrounds to formulate action points that could shape future youth programs.
“It will have a big impact because it is the first time for all the youth to come together and discuss many issues,” Elisa explained. “From the discussions, we hope to formulate action points that can guide the way forward.”
She says the initiative is intended to become an annual event and could, in the future, rotate to different countries, including Uganda and other places with large Azande communities.
“It is not just an initiative for 2026; we want it to continue every year in different perspectives and locations,” Elisa stated
Elisa confirmed that the Azande Kingdom is fully aware of the conference and has blessed the initiative. She said that they are also expecting the King of the Azande Kingdom to attend the gathering.
“The Kingdom supported us from the beginning and gave us the blessing to proceed with the initiative,” Elisa noted.
Beyond the conference, the organisers have lined up several activities aimed at promoting unity and entertainment among youth. A youth concert featuring Azande artists and performers from other communities will take place on May 30 at M7 immediately after the conference.
“We want the youth not only to discuss issues but also to have fun and network together,” Elisa said.
The celebrations will conclude on May 31 with a friendly football match between the Azande Kingdom and the Shilluk Kingdom at Buluk Playground in Juba.
Elisa said the decision to involve the Shilluk Kingdom was based on the strong relationship that already exists between the two communities.
“They have always been with us since the establishment of our Kingdom, so they were the right people to start with,” Elisa explained.
The organisers hope the initiative will later expand to include more South Sudanese communities through sports, cultural exchanges, and dialogue.
“This is about creating community connections and unity among people,” Elisa added.
The events will conclude on 31st May 2026 with a friendly football match between the Azande Kingdom and the Shilluk Kingdom at Buluk Stadium. This match aims to foster peace, unity, and mutual respect between communities through sport.
Calling on the public to support the activities, Elisa encouraged residents of Juba and other communities to attend both the concert and the football match.
Elisa serves as the head of the organising committee for the initiative under ASWA and is also part of the Secretariat for Peace and Reconciliation within the association.