Primate Badi Arama|By Darlington Moses

The Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Archbishop Justin Badi Arama, has urged young people across the country to take a leading role in ending violence and reject recruitment into armed conflict.

Archbishop Badi made the call on Sunday during the launch of the National Youth Leadership Peace and Security Forum, held under the theme: “Shaping South Sudan’s Democratic Transition, Social Cohesion and Future Transitions.”

The religious leader said no generation is better positioned than the youth to carry the responsibility of building lasting peace in South Sudan.

He acknowledged that young people have inherited a difficult history shaped by conflict, division, and political instability, but said they also have the opportunity to transform the country’s future through reconciliation, dialogue, and unity.

Archbishop Badi called on youth to reject violence and become champions of peace, saying they must refuse to be used in conflicts that continue to harm communities.

“Today, we ask two things of you as the youth of South Sudan: first, to practically lead the call to end the killing of civilians,” Badi said.

He expressed concern that young people are often at the centre of violent confrontations, while those who mobilize and finance conflicts remain away from the fighting.

“We have not heard of elders moving to attack, but it is always said the youth are moving here, the youth are attacking this. That must stop,” he said.

The Primate also urged young people to reject recruitment by political actors and other groups encouraging violence.

“Refuse recruitment into violence. Our elders, the politicians, few are here, they have the money, they recruit. And you always go, fight, kill, torture your mothers and fathers while they are seated here,” he said.

Archbishop Badi encouraged the youth to use their influence to rewrite South Sudan’s history by promoting unity, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.

“You have inherited a difficult history, but you are to carry the responsibility and the opportunity to rewrite the history — write the history of unity instead of division, of dialogue instead of violence,” he said.

The National Youth Leadership Peace and Security Forum brings together young leaders and stakeholders to discuss the role of youth in South Sudan’s democratic transition, social cohesion, and peacebuilding efforts.