The directive, which takes effect on January 12, 2026, was confirmed on Tuesday by SSNYU Secretary-General Emmanuel William Atit in an interview with Sudan Post. According to Atit, the registration exercise will apply to both youth-led organisations and other entities whose programmes directly target young people.
“The South Sudan National Youth Union hereby informs all national organisations implementing youth-related activities that a mandatory registration exercise will commence on January 12, 2026,” Atit said in a formal statement. He added that the decision is part of broader efforts to streamline youth engagement and ensure better oversight of activities affecting young people nationwide.
Atit explained that the initiative follows a directive from the national Ministry of Youth, which has tasked SSNYU with compiling comprehensive data on organisations involved in youth programming. He noted that the absence of a central database has made it difficult to track who is doing what, where, and with which resources.
“For us to provide accurate data, these organisations must register with the union,” Atit said. “We are also receiving frequent inquiries from international organisations seeking information about local groups that have previously implemented youth activities. Without proper records, coordination becomes a challenge.”
The SSNYU, which was restructured in 2020 under former Chairperson Gola Boyoi Gola, operates under the legal framework of the 2015 SSNYU Constitution and the 2019 General Regulations. The union positions itself as the primary umbrella body for youth representation and coordination in South Sudan.
Under the new directive, organisations that fail to register within the stipulated timeframe risk being excluded from official recognition. “Organisations that do not comply with this circular may not be recognised for coordination, collaboration, or participation in youth programmes under the SSNYU framework,” Atit warned.
Despite the growing number of youth-focused initiatives in South Sudan, it remains unclear how many organisations are currently implementing such activities or the scope of their work. SSNYU officials believe the registration process will help close this gap, improve transparency, and enable more strategic planning for youth development.
The union is expected to release further details in the coming weeks, including registration procedures, deadlines, and documentation requirements.
