By Baraka John
The President of the South Sudan Youth Union, Mr. Taban Paride, will arrive in Yambio on Tuesday for a two-day visit aimed at empowering youth and strengthening leadership capacity in Western Equatoria State.
Speaking to King Media on Monday, Western Equatoria State Youth Chairperson Mr. Sylvester Ruati confirmed the visit, noting that Mr. Paride will meet with young people from across the state to hear their concerns and share his vision for youth development.
“He will engage with the youth in a public forum to outline his strategies, policies, and plans moving forward,” Ruati said. “This visit is about building leadership capacity and understanding the real challenges facing our young people.”
As part of his visit, Mr. Paride is expected to officially launch a youth-led agricultural initiative — a project aligned with the national agenda to promote economic empowerment and self-reliance among South Sudanese youth.
In addition to engaging directly with the youth, Mr. Paride will also hold meetings with state government officials, church leaders, and other key stakeholders to bolster cooperation on youth-centered initiatives.
The visit has been warmly received by local civil society. Dominic Sabino, a youth activist and member of civil society in Yambio, expressed optimism that Mr. Paride will advocate for increased youth employment, particularly within government institutions.
“There are many educated young South Sudanese who remain unemployed, while many positions are still held by people past retirement age,” Sabino said. “We hope Mr. Paride will push for retirement reforms to open up opportunities for the youth.”
Sabino emphasized that youth representation in leadership and decision-making is essential for the country’s progress. “The future of South Sudan depends on inclusive governance that actively involves its youth,” he added.