Youth leaders from the three states of South Sudan’s Equatoria region yesterday launched a two-day conference aiming to promote the role of youth in society and promote a spirit of unity and cooperation among Equatorian youth from different areas.

The event starting Tuesday at Nyakuron Cultural Centre was held under the theme of youth leadership.

Addressing the gathering, Peter Lobojo Onesimo, chairperson of the Central Equatoria State Youth Union said it is important for the sons and daughters of Equatoria to come together at this particular time to address issues of concern.

“In this gathering, some individuals translated it negatively, but our gathering here today is to articulate key issues that will lead us to our new nation for success. The only solution to our problems in South Sudan is the federal system of governance, so that each state runs its own affairs,” he said.

Lobojo further stressed the need for a census in South Sudan in order to determine the national population and demarcate geographical constituencies. He said electoral bodies should be established and electoral laws need to be put in place.

For his part, Lopwa Paul Amaliya, Eastern Equatoria State Acting Chairperson for Youth stressed that Equatoria is known to have produced a number of uniting leadership figures. He said that going back to the 1950s Equatoria provided leadership that united the people of South Sudan behind a national cause for liberation of South Sudan. 

“We are suffering from a leadership of tribalism. We have suffered enough and our children deserve to gain from the sacrifice of their fathers and ancestors for this beloved nation. It is now up to us to protect Equatoria from spoilers and to defend our position and interests in the country,” Lopwa said.

Simple John, representing youths from Western Equatoria, called for the unity of the youth in Equatoria in order to defend their ‘interests’. He said that by coming together as youth of Equatoria it will help signal a message of unity down to people at the grassroots.

The event was also attended by ministers from three Equatoria states. Funding for the event was said to have come from governors of the three states.

Photo: Youth leaders representing the three states of Equatoria, 16 Sept. 2014; view more photos of the event on Facebook.