“The past is already behind us. We must turn the page and start anew,” declares Lunia Okuch, a youth peace ambassador in Malakal, South Sudan, where the young generation grew up amidst conflicts in the world’s newest nation.
Peace in South Sudan has constantly been fragile, characterized by cycles of violence and diminishing trust even before it gained independence from Sudan in 2011. From the outbreak of civil war in 2013 to the renewed peace agreement in 2018, every step towards stability has been hard-won.
Currently, many of the main challenges to lasting peace are more localized, with occasional incidents of cattle raids and gang violence among youth groups.
“If I had a job, I wouldn’t be involved in a gang,” explains Akol*, a 22-year-old who has been part of a local gang since he was 17. “We have no employment, no income, no support for education.”
Akol’s story began when he dropped out of school due to a lack of opportunities, a common experience for many young men in South Sudan. “Without a safety net, people will take advantage of you.”
He mentions that the gangs in Malakal are made up of individuals from different ethnic backgrounds, but they are united by shared experiences of poverty and displacement. “We don’t fight because of tribes. We fight to survive.”
For numerous young people, gang life is both a symptom and a cause of South Sudan’s instability. However, it is also within the youth where hope for a peaceful future resides, with young leaders like Okuch working tirelessly to bridge divides and promote understanding in communities still scarred by violence.
The responsibility of rebuilding and shaping the country’s future extends beyond the youth. Nyawar Monykuany, a women’s representative for 13 counties in Upper Nile State, and others like her are taking on leadership roles to mend fractured communities.
“Women can serve as peace ambassadors,” she affirms, describing her efforts to unite the tribes in Malakal. Fluent in multiple local languages, Monykuany uses dialogue to build trust among groups that once viewed each other with suspicion and hostility.
Economic recovery is another vital piece of the puzzle. Joel John, a builder in the town of Yei, credits vocational training programs for giving him the opportunity to support his family after years of displacement in neighboring Uganda. “I chose this profession because it allows me to rebuild my life,” he shares. Yet, like many others, he worries that insecurity in rural areas could undermine the progress achieved in the towns.
The rejuvenated peace agreement of 2018 represented a significant milestone for the country; nevertheless, challenges persist in addressing the grassroots dynamics of violence.
Ethnic tensions, land disputes, and resource scarcity continue to trigger conflicts, particularly in regions where floods and displacement heighten tensions. Organizations like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have played a role in facilitating local dialogues and promoting peace through grassroots initiatives.
Nevertheless, as communities in Malakal and Yei demonstrate, it is predominantly through the gradual, determined efforts of South Sudan’s people that peace is taking shape.
*Names have been changed to safeguard identities
