Despite the 2018 peace agreement that ended years of civil war, South Sudan remains in a fragile state, with sporadic violence, ethnic tensions, and political instability undermining progress. While the agreement laid the groundwork for a transitional government and power-sharing arrangements, implementation has been slow and uneven, particularly at the local level. Many regions continue to experience localized conflicts driven by land disputes, intercommunal violence, and competition over scarce resources, often worsened by climate change and displacement. Yet amid these challenges, grassroots peace efforts, community-led initiatives, and a growing desire for reconciliation—especially among youth—are emerging as vital forces for stability.
“The past is already the past. We need to open a new chapter,” says Lunia Okuch, a youth peace ambassador in Malakal, South Sudan, whose generation grew up surrounded by conflict in the world’s youngest nation.
“During the war, I lost family members. But for me, I know that it has happened, and it is already gone,” she says.
Known as the 'Green Belt' for its fertile lands, Yei has faced waves of displacement and hardship but remains a focal point for peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts.
Cattle herders lead their livestock across the vast plains of South Sudan. Cattle raiding remains a source of tension among communities, fuelled by competition for resources and longstanding rivalries.
Civilian and military dialogues in Yei aim to foster understanding and improve relations between local communities and security forces.
"We achieve peace through dialogue," says Customary Judge Joseph Brown in Yei, South Sudan. For years, Judge Joseph has been at the forefront of resolving disputes in a region marked by conflict and displacement.
"We fight, but there's no benefit," says Koul, a 24-year-old from Malakal. He became involved in street violence in 2018, after years of being targeted by rivals and feeling the need for protection. “I joined to defend myself,” he explains. What started as small brawls at local parties quickly escalated into a cycle of revenge. "They attack us, we attack them," he says, describing the constant battles that have become his reality.
The gangs in Malakal, according to Akol, are a mix of different tribes, united not by ethnicity but by the shared struggles of poverty and displacement. "We don’t fight because of tribes. We fight to survive." In a place where education and jobs are scarce, young men like Akol feel trapped. "We have no benefit in gang," he admits. "But we have nothing else."
"Without peace, nothing is going to be solved," says Patrick Karabell, a youth leader in Malakal. Through dialogue and sport, he works to break cycles of violence and help youth choose unity over conflict.