By Ijoo Bosco Torit
The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports in Eastern Equatoria State has announced plans to convene a youth conference focused on reorganising youth leadership structures and promoting peace ahead of the upcoming elections.
The Caretaker Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, who also serves as Minister of Education and Instruction, Ibwaha Lucy Allam, has directed all county commissioners and administrative area authorities to nominate five youth representatives from their respective areas to participate in the conference.
Minister Ibwaha said the conference, scheduled for November 18–20, 2026, will bring together youth leaders from counties and administrative areas across Eastern Equatoria State to transform interim youth leadership structures into legally recognised bodies.
She said the initiative is intended to strengthen youth leadership, promote peace and unity, and improve coordination among young people across the state.
According to the minister, the conference will begin with training sessions, followed by elections to establish a legally recognised state-level youth executive committee.
Ibwaha further urged the newly elected youth leaders to return to their respective areas and establish executive bodies at county and administrative area levels to strengthen youth representation and coordination across the state.
She called on young people to remain calm, uphold peace and security, and work collectively to promote unity as the state prepares for the electoral process.
The minister also encouraged youth leaders to serve as ambassadors of peace and positive role models for younger generations, stressing the importance of responsible leadership in maintaining stability across Eastern Equatoria State.