By Engr. Maker Mangol Acien Yuol
A youth is a person between 18 and 35 years old according to the recent 29-page document of the youth development program policy constituted by the National Parliament of South Sudan. The high number of youth in this nation faces limited access to quality education, hindering their ability to acquire necessary skills for personal and professional development, and alarmingly high unemployment rates. Despite those holding college degrees, around 95% of youth are unemployed while insecurity and conflict have limited opportunities for youth to engage in productive activities, leading some youth to participate in negative behaviors or migrate in search of better prospects. Furthermore, young women, in particular, face significant challenges due to cultural practices like early marriage and lack of economic opportunities, as the country’s heavy reliance on oil exports and limited economic diversification have restricted job opportunities for youth. However, our roles as youth of this nation haven’t been played; instead, we are used by political hackers for them to get installed in the government. Our role is not to kill ourselves. Our role isn’t to hate ourselves. Our role as youth isn’t to follow anybody who has settled politically and economically. Our role isn’t to pin each other. Our role is to defend this country from foreign ‘s interests. Our role is to stand strong with the constitution of this nation. Our role is to pursue education diligently and join politics in the right direction, practicing leadership to become leaders of this nation, and there are many roles that we can play in this country. I carried out some data research about the war going on across the country between the South Sudan People Defense Force and militia groups, and I found out that a high number of youth are dying because of individuals’ interests or political hackers, . Many other communal fights start with youth that take huge numbers of lives. Can our youth learn how to refrain from such interests that take lives away on this earth? Let’s learn how to stand up for the roles of the youth. If our leaders don’t care about the youth, then accept yourselves as youth and have unity among ourselves. Those leaders aren’t institutions for them to remain there, but they will leave, and our time will come to build this beloved country. All those current leaders aren’t institutions. They are individuals tasked to do some tasks, and they will finish their tasks and go, allowing the youth of this nation to put this country forward. When youth are organized, when youth are united, when youth are peace drivers, when youth are development-oriented, when youth love themselves and their country, they will be able to propel this country. All of us are leaders in this country, and we have to be careful in defending individuals to the extent of killing ourselves seriously. We can’t stay on our land like foreigners always, as if we shall have another place to live in. This country will remain forever and ever, and we shall leave it for generations to come. Allow the country to grow developmentally and democratically by playing our roles as youth of this nation. By addressing these challenges and building on existing initiatives, South Sudan can unlock the potential of its young population and foster a brighter future for the country.
Email: makermangolacien@gmail.com
The End!