Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, the newly sworn-in Youth and Sports Minister - Courtesy

President Salva Kiir has said South Sudanese youth have forgotten what the liberators have fought for while urging the newly sworn-in Youth and Sports Minister to correct the young generation.

Kiir made the remarks after the oath-taking by Minister Dr. Joseph Geng Akec on Monday, November 20, 2023.

He said more than 70% of the South Sudanese population are youth who he said have taken everything without stating any details.

However, in his actual words, he said “Our youth have forgotten what we have fought for, and they want to do things the way they want to do.

He also directed the new Minister of Youth and Sports to foster unity among the youth across the nation.

“Over 70 percent of the population are youth, and you are going to be their minister and you must go and correct the youth who have taken everything,” President Kiir told the new Minister of Sport and Youth.

“Our youth have forgotten what we have fought for, and that is why they want to do things as they want to do their own way,” he said.

In his swearing-in remark, Minister Dr. Joseph Geng Akec pledged to work and bring the youth together in a bid to lay a strong foundation for nation-building.

Dr Joseph Geng Akech is a constitutional and human rights lawyer and a researcher in constitutional designs, human rights and transitional justice.

He holds a Doctor of Law in comparative constitutional law from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Dr Geng has published widely on constitutionalism, governance and peace building in South Sudan and Africa.