‘Not just voters’: Youth Union calls for 20% leadership quota before elections

The Deputy Chairperson of the South Sudan National Youth Union has urged political party leaders to reserve at least 20 per cent of leadership positions for young people ahead of the country’s December 2026 general elections.

Speaking during the launch of the National Elections Commission’s civic and voter education campaign in Juba on Monday, Motwakil Awol Mamour said young people should be recognised not only as voters but also as candidates and leaders at all levels of government.

Mamour argued that youth make up the majority of South Sudan’s population and have the energy, innovation and commitment needed to drive the country’s development.

“To our political party leaders, we are the National Youth Union. We expect this time to see young people not only as voters, but also as candidates and leaders at all levels of government,” he said.

“We call for at least 20 per cent youth representation because young people are the majority and have the energy, ideas and commitment to contribute to our nation’s development. We believe that a credible and peaceful election is a vital opportunity to strengthen our economy, promote peace and build a better future for South Sudan.”

According to available demographic data, more than 70 per cent of South Sudan’s population is under the age of 30, making it one of the world’s youngest populations.

Mamour also reaffirmed the National Youth Union’s commitment to supporting the ongoing civic and voter education campaign ahead of the December polls.

He said the union is ready to mobilize young people across the country to participate in civic education, voter registration and voter awareness activities to help ensure peaceful, free and fair elections.

“We, the South Sudan National Youth Union, reaffirm that the youth of South Sudan are ready and committed to participating actively in civic education, voter registration, voter awareness and all other activities that contribute to a peaceful, free and fair election, not only here in Juba, but also at the grassroots across the states and administrative areas,” Mamour added.

The National Elections Commission launched the nationwide civic and voter education campaign on Monday, calling on political parties, civil society organizations, development partners and other stakeholders to support voter awareness efforts ahead of South Sudan’s general elections scheduled for December 2026.