AAYC Vice President Meets Secretary-General of South Sudan’s Ruling Party

Juba, South Sudan – 13 October 2025

As part of the Afro Arab Youth Council’s continued engagement across its member states, and in line with the directives of the Executive Committee, Mr. Philip Lawrence, Vice President of the Council representing the Anglophone group, met with Professor Paul Lugale, Secretary-General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the ruling party in the Republic of South Sudan.

Juba, South Sudan – 13 October 2025

As part of the Afro Arab Youth Council’s continued engagement across its member states, and in line with the directives of the Executive Committee, Mr. Philip Lawrence, Vice President of the Council representing the Anglophone group, met with Professor Paul Lugale, Secretary-General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the ruling party in the Republic of South Sudan.

The meeting comes within the framework of the Council’s leadership outreach and its commitment to strengthening cooperation with youth institutions and national stakeholders across Africa and the Arab world — a journey that began in 2004 in Khartoum, Sudan, where the Council was founded.

During the meeting, Mr. Lawrence presented a comprehensive report on the Council’s activities and achievements since 2015, the year South Sudan formally joined the Afro Arab Youth Council. The discussion also highlighted the growing role of youth in driving development, peace, and integration within both the African and Arab regions, with a special focus on South Sudan’s contributions.

Professor Lugale received an update on the Council’s most recent initiatives, during last September 2025 in Cameroon and the Council’s plan for the key youth activities in 2025. Both sides discussed mechanisms for enhanced collaboration and youth empowerment in the country.

In his remarks, Professor Lugale welcomed the AAYC delegation and commended the Vice President for his efforts in positively representing South Sudan within the Council. He emphasized the importance of providing young people with meaningful opportunities to participate at all levels of leadership and policymaking.

Professor Lugale further reaffirmed the full support of the Government of South Sudan for the Afro-Arab Youth Council and its programs, expressing the government’s readiness to facilitate future activities in the country.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Lawrence presented a commemorative shield to Professor Lugale on behalf of the Council’s Executive Committee, in appreciation of his leadership and continued support for youth initiatives.