Vice President James Wani Igga addresses the Muslim community during a Ramadan Iftar in Juba. Photo credit: Office of the Vice President.

Vice President James Wani Igga has called on young people to play a greater role in peacebuilding and nation-building.

Igga made the remarks during the opening of the Youth Leadership, Peace, and Security Forum in Juba this morning.

The forum is organised by IGAD in collaboration with the South Sudan National Youth Union and other partners under the theme: “Youth Voices for Peace: Shaping South Sudan’s Democratic Transition, Social Cohesion and Economic Future.”

The event has brought together youth leaders from the ten states, government officials, civil society representatives, development partners, and regional organisations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President Igga, who is also chairperson for the Economic Cluster, stressed the important role of young people in promoting social cohesion and sustainable development.

“Sustainable peace requires the active participation of all the young people because it is you who can make a celebration and who can create mourning because of violence. So, you are not only beneficiaries of peace agreements as negotiators, they are also the community leaders, entrepreneurs, should benefit from that, and guardians of national unity,” he said.

“In other words, the youth must be given sufficient space to carry out their active life. So, you’ve got to be in the ministries, you’ve got to be in the commissions and so on,” he added.

Igga reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating opportunities for meaningful youth participation and implementing policies that support peace and economic growth.

“As young South Sudanese, you must choose hope over despair, unity over division, service over self-interest. We must become leaders who inspire integrity, who embrace diversity, and work tirelessly for the common good,” he urged.

The two-day forum is expected to produce practical recommendations to inform national policies, peace implementation, and youth programming.