Abstract:
South Sudan, the newest African state, is entangled in a complex political and humanitarian emergencies since the civil war broke out in Juba in December 2013. This has seen massive destruction of property, thousands of deaths, torture, abduction, rapes, and displacement of millions of people. The economy is nearly collapsing, severely reducing the nation's output and raising inflation. However, this civil war, just like the previous one, has affected most profoundly, the children, youth and women of South Sudan, many of whom have known nothing but war. Not only are they victims, they have also lacked a voice in the peace process and nation building. The children and youth of South Sudan have been either the victims or perpetrators but their potential, capacity and role as peace builders has not yet been explored. Furthermore, the current peace process in South Sudan lacks the input of refugee children and youth. Their concerns and participation are paramount to the peace process since their plight represents the urgency of restoring positive peace in South Sudan. This article uses desktop research to examine how South Sudan is losing its present and future generation of peace builders because of the civil war. It analyses the challenges youth face in peace and nation building. It also provides some recommendations for incorporating children and youth in the current peace process.