Youth Association Chairperson in Bentiu says youth need to promote the norm of peaceful co-existence in the Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites irrespective of their tribal and political affiliations.

The Chairperson Gabriel Chuil said youth need to be made aware that they are crucial messengers of peace and work for the good of their country. 

Mr. Chuil was speaking during a youth forum organized by UNMISS Civil Affairs Division and Communication and Public Information Section to discuss the roles of PoC youth leaders and the mandate of UNMISS.

“We know that everyone are affiliated to different political parties but we are telling them here we have a common agenda, one our common agenda is we are together we are one people let us co-exist with one another in peace and counter any issues that may appear”, the Chairperson urged the participants.

He said the youth association will work to make sure peace prevails in the PoC site, adding it also joins effort with UNMISS and other partners to maintain a constructive dialogue with counterparts outside of the PoC site.

UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer William Jial said the youth body has a responsibility to prevent and manage communal conflicts and to promote peace and reconciliation among different communities in the PoC site.

“The Youth Association was specifically restructured to serve as an interlocutor between UNMISS and the youth in the PoC”, William said.

He also noted that the Youth Association has been given a clear mandate to mitigate conflict issues and promote peaceful co-existence among young Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The members of the Association are drawn from different communities in the POC to work for the welfare of all youth irrespective of political affiliation, religion and tribe.