At least 20 members of youth gangs from Yei and Lainya counties in Central Equatoria State have pledged to pursue reconciliation and abandon violence following a two-day dialogue aimed at improving community security and addressing gang-related activities.
The participants, drawn from five groups operating in Yei’s Hai Armia Two, Mahad, Gezira and Highland neighbourhoods, as well as Lolipo in Mukaya Payam of Lainya County, agreed to work toward peaceful coexistence and support efforts to reduce crime and public disorder.
Speaking at the close of the dialogue on Friday, Mustafa Adam, a programme officer with Reconcile International, called on young people to end violence, reduce drug use and continue surrendering weapons and other harmful items.
He said some participants had already begun handing over weapons, describing the move as an important step toward building safer communities. He also urged youth to abandon the use of drugs, including tramadol and cannabis, and embrace peaceful ways of resolving disputes.
Community leader Ben Arona commended the participants for choosing dialogue over violence and encouraged them to act as ambassadors for peace in their communities.
He urged the youth to stay away from drugs and violent activities, saying lasting change would create better opportunities for themselves and their families.
Several participants said they would renounce gang involvement and share the outcomes of the discussions with members who did not attend the meeting.
Loice Wuse, a women’s representative at the dialogue, appealed to young people to reject violence, saying it disrupts families and undermines development.
She welcomed the decision by some participants to surrender weapons and called for similar initiatives to continue so that more youth could be encouraged to abandon violence and contribute to community safety.
Joseph Brown Lo Mose, chairperson of the Yei County Peace Committee, described the dialogue as a significant step toward rebuilding trust among rival groups.
He urged participants to implement the resolutions reached during the meeting and encouraged young people to pursue education and skills training instead of engaging in gang activities.
Participants said expanding such engagements would strengthen reconciliation efforts and help achieve lasting peace in Yei and Mukaya Payam.
At the end of the dialogue, stakeholders signed a set of resolutions, marking a collective commitment to peace and unity. Participants also pledged to mobilise more than 100 additional members from their groups and called on Reconcile International to organise a larger follow-up dialogue involving all gang members.
The dialogue was organised by Reconcile International in partnership with the Yei Peace Committee and other stakeholders as part of peacebuilding efforts in Central Equatoria State.
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