Youth Identity and Political Engagement in Urban South Sudan: An Action Research Study

Youth in urban South Sudan face significant challenges related to identity formation and political engagement due to historical conflicts and socio-economic disparities. The study employed ethnographic methods, including focus group discussions (FGDs) with youth leaders and surveys, to gather data from diverse urban communities across South Sudan. Data analysis focused on thematic content. A key finding was that young people in urban areas of South Sudan often identified strongly with traditional cultural groups rather than national identity, which influenced their political engagement positively towards specific community-based initiatives. The research concluded that fostering inclusive civic education programmes and recognising the diverse identities within youth communities can enhance political participation and stability in urban settings of South Sudan. Recommendations include developing localized educational curricula that incorporate traditional cultural values alongside national identity, which could be more engaging for young people.