South Sudanese bishop: The youth are essential to building peace

By Kielce Gussie

An intergenerational event held between the 2nd and 3rd of December brought together young people from the ten counties of Western Equatoria State of South Sudan and representatives from various communities and tribes. The workshop’s theme was titled, “The Youth who build Peace, Build the Future.”

Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala from the Diocese of Tombura Yambio in South Sudan explained how essential it is “that the youth commit themselves to what can bring peace to them now and to the future of their communities.”

By the youth, for the youth

Speaking to the Vatican’s Fides news agency, the bishop noted how dialogue has already begun. Yet, he argued, they want the youth “to focus on what they already have, rather than following bad policies that will divide them and haunt not only now and tomorrow, but also the next generation.”

Bishop Hiiboro said the workshop was not just a meeting but a movement—“a movement led by youth, sustained by youth, and enriched by the wisdom of our elders.” He noted several important elements that are useful in reaching peace, including self-love, tribal identity, peace through development, dignity, opportunity, and equality.

Establishing peace in the country is important because, as the bishop stressed, “a nation cannot build new paths on old wounds.” Only when a nation remembers the past and its mistakes, can it heal.

Bishop Hiiboro called on the youth to be “messengers of unity, the unity that is the bridge to a peaceful future.” This entails taking the good and rejecting the harmful that can be found in the culture of the day. Educating young people, he explained, is the key to their defense against manipulation.

Situation in South Sudan

South Sudan has been in the throes of an internal conflict. On 11 November, senior UN officials described the country as “entering a period of rising instability marked by political polarization, renewed armed clashes, and serious humanitarian strain.

Ceasefire violations and fighting between government and opposition groups grew in a number of states, while aerial bombings have also been reported. The UN has said some 7.5 million people face acute food insecurity—worsening the internal struggles for the country.

The ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan has increased strain on South Sudan as more than 1.2 million people have sought refuge in the country since April 2023.

Elections in the world’s youngest country are scheduled for December 2026.

Bishop Hiiboro expressed his hope that together with the young people, they can build a better future. “Young people must be role models for peace, building on faith and moral values. We must pray together, work together, and rise together.”