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STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / YAMBIO YOUTH INCLUSIVE ELECTIONS
TRT: 03:18
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 16 OCTOBER 2025, YAMBIO, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, youth in a meeting
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tamba Isaiah, displaced person:
“Initially, I had several misconceptions about elections, and I had very limited knowledge on electoral processes, such as the eligibility to vote and the processes involved, the pre-election processes, election processes, and post-election processes but all these doubts have been cleared today.”
3. Various shots, youth listening, taking notes, engaging with facilitators
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Aluel Victoria, Yambio youth representative:
“The barriers we are facing is that there is gender exclusivity on the women’s side, and we, the youth, are not fully represented. Basically, they feel we don’t have the experience as the youth.”
5. Various shots, youth presenting group work, asking questions, listening
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Dakpari Peter, civil society network representative:
“The security environment for women and people living with disabilities [is challenging]. So, the security needs to be stable for women to actively participate.”
7. Various shots, Youth in small discussion groups, some taking notes, others debating
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Sarawasi, spokesperson for the High-Level Elections Commission Western Equatoria State:
“We came out of our office, going to the public to carry awareness about elections as this is the first time in South Sudan. We have young people who are 18 years and above 18 years who have never experienced this. Our office is now working closely with our partner, the UN electoral assistance team, to make sure we carry public awareness to all the people.”
9. Various shots, youth asking questions, engaging in dialogue, brainstorming solutions for inclusiveness, hands raised
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Opubo Melford, UNMISS Human Rights Officer:
“We are constantly working with various sections, taking an integrated approach to educating the local population on elections through the various workshops that we have, so we dedicate certain sessions to speak on elections. We are constantly conducting workshops that also target police officers, uniformed personal and the civilian population.”
11. Various shots, youth clapping
From the euphoria of independence to the painful return of conflict, the road to stability for South Sudan has been long and remains uncertain. Despite the challenges, hopes are still high among communities across the country that peaceful, free and fair elections will bring long-sought security as well as opportunities for development and economic growth.
As South Sudan edges closer to this next democratic chapter, the country’s youth are finding their voices and stepping into the spotlight — informed, inspired, and ready to lead.
Tamba Isaiah, a displaced person, said, “Initially, I had several misconceptions about elections, and I had very limited knowledge on electoral processes, such as the eligibility to vote and the processes involved, the pre-election processes, election processes, and post-election processes but all these doubts have been cleared today.”
These youth know that participation in the lead-up to elections is as important as the vote itself, particularly for young women, who often face cultural and social barriers.
Aluel Victoria, Yambio youth representative, said, “The barriers we are facing is that there is gender exclusivity on the women’s side, and we, the youth, are not fully represented. Basically, they feel we don’t have the experience as the youth.”
If everyone is included and guaranteed the freedom to safely participate, there are opportunities to find common ground.
Michael Dakpari Peter, civil society network representative, said, “The security environment for women and people living with disabilities [is challenging]. So, the security needs to be stable for women to actively participate.”
Recognizing these challenges, the High-Level Elections Commission in Western Equatoria State is taking steps to ensure inclusiveness by conducting crucial information campaigns.
Simon Sarawasi, spokesperson for the High-Level Elections Commission Western Equatoria State, said, “We came out of our office, going to the public to carry awareness about elections as this is the first time in South Sudan. We have young people who are 18 years and above 18 years who have never experienced this. Our office is now working closely with our partner, the UN electoral assistance team, to make sure we carry public awareness to all the people.”
Supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and other national partners, these campaigns help citizens better understand their civic rights and responsibilities.
Opubo Melford, UNMISS Human Rights Officer, said, “We are constantly working with various sections, taking an integrated approach to educating the local population on elections through the various workshops that we have, so we dedicate certain sessions to speak on elections. We are constantly conducting workshops that also target police officers, uniformed personal and the civilian population.”
As December 2026, and with it the promise of elections, is fast approaching, young people are getting ready to claim their space. Initiatives like this make sure that they can be a vital part in shaping their own futures.
