(JUBA) – Young leaders in South Sudan have called on lawmakers and relevant ministries to accelerate progress on key youth-related bills that remain stalled or underfunded. Their appeal came during a three-day Youth Legislation Workshop held in Juba from Wednesday to Friday, organised by Markaz Alsalam in partnership with the South Sudan National Youth Union (SSNYU), with support from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).
The event brought together youth leaders, students, and senior representatives from government ministries including Youth and Sports, Higher Education, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Gender, Child, and Social Welfare. The discussions centred on the status of several draft bills aimed at supporting young people’s development and participation in national life.
Participants reviewed five key draft laws:
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Youth Development Policy Bill
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Youth Enterprise Development Fund Bill
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Women Enterprise Development Fund Bill
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National Youth and Sports Council Bill
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Student Support Welfare Fund Bill
Many of the youth expressed frustration over the slow progress of these bills and a perceived lack of political commitment. Several noted that the legal status of the proposed laws remains unclear, with little public information available and minimal financial backing allocated.
“With over 70 percent of South Sudan’s population under the age of 30, it is essential that the voices of young people are not only heard but reflected in the laws and policies that shape this country,” said Thess Marial Rong Ayok, Secretary General for Public Relations at the SSNYU.
Ayok highlighted that the Youth Development Policy Bill has already undergone full public consultation and is now awaiting final review by parliamentary security bodies. However, other bills remain stalled at early stages, with little progress being communicated to the public.
One key recommendation from the workshop was to split the National Youth and Sports Council Bill into separate frameworks to better address the diverse needs of South Sudan’s youth population. Participants also called for an increase in the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ annual budget, currently constrained by wider fiscal challenges.
The participants further demanded that youth, women, and persons with disabilities be fully included in the legislative process, from drafting through to approval and implementation. While South Sudan has adopted a Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) national strategy, they noted that it lacks legal backing and urged Parliament to prioritise a YPS law.
Another concern raised was the limited integration of youth health and mental health services into national legal frameworks. Civic education and regular engagement between young citizens and the government were also recommended as tools for building national cohesion and accountability.
Youth representatives stressed that meaningful participation is not possible without legislative support. Many pointed out that South Sudan’s peace and development goals cannot be achieved without formal structures to support young people’s education, employment, entrepreneurship, and political inclusion.
The workshop concluded with a joint statement calling for immediate action from lawmakers, improved transparency around the legislative process, and consistent updates to the public on the status of youth-focused bills.
