By James Innocent
You leader in Yei River County in Central Equatoria state Gaga Frank Osman said youth unemployment remain so challenging in the area.
Unemployment among young people in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State and South Sudan at large is increasingly being cited as a major social challenge.
Local leaders warning that lack of job opportunities and vocational skills is pushing some youth toward gangs, crime, and alcohol abuse.
Speaking in an interview, the Youth Leader of Yei River County, Gaga Frank Osman, said many young people remain unemployed due to limited access to vocational training, making them vulnerable to negative influences.
“Most of our youth lack practical skills, and this exposes them to joining the wrong groups,” Osman said. He emphasized the need for skills training that would enable young people to become self-employed and economically independent.
Osman further called on development partners and government institutions to create employment opportunities for graduates and school leavers, noting that job creation would help curb the rising cases of gang-related activities in the county.
He also encouraged youth to engage in agriculture as a sustainable livelihood option, especially amid the country’s ongoing economic difficulties.
Meanwhile, Joel Yeka, a youth activist in Yei, urged young people to remain resilient despite the current hardships. He noted that peer pressure plays a significant role in shaping behavior and stressed the importance of mentorship and guidance as youth grow into adulthood.
“Some behaviors we see among youth are largely influenced by group dynamics,” Yeka said, calling for stronger community involvement in guiding young people.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Yei River County, Emmanuel Taban Seme, warned youth against engaging in criminal activities, saying the county administration is concerned about the increasing number of young people ending up in detention.
“I do not feel comfortable seeing a young person taken to jail,” Commissioner Seme said. He urged youth to support their families through agriculture and other lawful activities, describing farming as one of the most viable means of survival in the county.
On her part, the Chairperson of the Yei Women’s Association, Hellen Ciama, echoed concerns over the lack of vocational skills among young people. She appealed to humanitarian partners and development agencies to invest more in skills training programs to empower youth and reduce unemployment.
Community leaders say coordinated efforts between government, partners, and local communities are essential to address unemployment and prevent further social challenges among young people in Yei River County.