Juba: Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio has underscored the pivotal role of young people in shaping a peaceful and secure future for South Sudan, calling them the “heart of transformation” in a nation still grappling with conflict and instability.
The bishop’s remarks followed a two-day intergenerational workshop held on December 2–3, which gathered youth representatives from all ten counties of Western Equatoria State, alongside elders, community leaders, and tribal delegates. The event, themed “The Youth Who Build Peace, Build the Future,” aimed to equip young people with the values and vision needed to break cycles of violence.
Speaking to Fides news agency, Bishop Hiiboro stressed that lasting peace cannot be achieved without the active participation of young people, who form the largest segment of South Sudan’s population. He urged them to anchor themselves in the strengths they already possess rather than be influenced by “harmful political narratives” that sow division across ethnic and regional lines.
The bishop described the workshop as more than a dialogue forum it marked the rise of a youth-driven peace movement, supported by the guidance of elders and grounded in both tradition and modern aspirations. He highlighted several foundational principles discussed during the sessions, including self-respect, affirmation of tribal identity without hostility, development-driven peace, dignity, equal opportunity, and the pursuit of justice.
According to Bishop Hiiboro, healing South Sudan’s fractured social fabric requires acknowledging past wounds while resisting the temptation to repeat damaging patterns. “A nation cannot carve new roads on old scars,” he said, urging young people to serve as “messengers of unity” who uphold cultural values that foster reconciliation and reject practices that promote hatred or manipulation.
He emphasized that education remains the strongest safeguard for the youth, equipping them to recognize misinformation, resist exploitation, and contribute constructively to society.
The bishop’s appeal comes at a time when South Sudan is navigating deepening turmoil. UN officials recently warned that the country is entering a phase of heightened instability characterized by political polarization, renewed armed clashes, and severe humanitarian strain. Reports of ceasefire violations, fighting between government and opposition forces in multiple regions, and aerial bombardments have intensified concerns.
Currently, an estimated 7.5 million South Sudanese face acute food insecurity, a crisis exacerbated by the conflict in neighboring Sudan, which has pushed over 1.2 million refugees into the country since April 2023.
Despite these daunting realities, Bishop Hiiboro expressed cautious optimism, insisting that peace is possible if young people embrace their responsibility as leaders of tomorrow. With national elections scheduled for December 2026, he affirmed that the choices made today will define the future of the world’s youngest nation.
“Young people must become role models of peace, rooted in faith and moral strength,” he said. “We must pray together, work together, and rise together.”