Luris Mulla, youth representative in the Addis Ababa peace talks

Youth representatives in the ongoing negotiations in Addis Ababa are demanding the participation of more young people in the search for peace in South Sudan.

Talks in Addis Ababa have largely centered on the government delegation and delegation of the SPLM/SPLA –in Opposition.

However, the IGAD-proposed framework document on the second round of negotiations suggests they should involve youth groups, civil society organizations and religious groups.

The coalition of young leaders of South Sudan, which was formed in light of the crisis, said they are pushing for the involvement of more young people in the talks.

Luris Mulla, who is the leader of the young leaders’ group said they have presented their demands as youth to IGAD, the SPLM/SPLA –in Opposition and the group of 7 SPLM leaders.

“We feel that since the youth constitute 83 percent of the population in South Sudan, we are major stakeholders in this, we are a silent majority,” Ms Mulla told Eye Radio in Addis Ababa.

“We feel that if the voice of the youth is not included, then it will be hard to find a long-term solution to these problems. And one of the main reasons as well is that we feel the youth are being used as tools in the violence, it is the youth who are fighting and it is the youth who are dying.”

Ms. Luris said the government delegation has rejected any discussion with the youth coalition in Addis Ababa.

When asked, the spokesperson of the government delegation, Michael Makuei Lueth told Eye Radio that the government will only talk to the SPLM/SPLA –in opposition, not to other parties.

“Those who have come here now, I really doubt if they represent any group of people and for that matter, we cannot say that the people who are here now are the representatives of the people,” argued Mr Makuei.

“The only organization that I know that is capable and it is well organized and well represented is the Church.”

Luris Mulla said negotiations on resolving the crisis in South Sudan should not be left to the two parties alone.

She said the talks should be broadened to include not just their group but other youth organizations in the country.

“We’re all from South Sudan, we will all have to live in South Sudan, and so we are forced to find solutions as a collective, as a nation –if we have the will to be a nation, we can find solutions to our problems.”

Luris said the involvement of youth groups and civil society organizations in the talks will enable the government and the opposition group to make informed decisions on resolving issues of democracy, peace and justice in South Sudan.