Urban Attractions: Returnee Youth, Mobility and the Search for a Future in South Sudan’s Regional Towns

This project (completed in late 2011) explored the various ways that returnee youth respond to unemployment as they seek new urban livelihoods for themselves. Rather than going back to the rural, pastoral and agricultural communities of their parents, many returnees have instead chosen to seek opportunities in regional towns, spurred on by a desire to contribute to the building of their new country. The research asked:

• What factors shape young people’s choice to pursue urban livelihoods?
• How do returnee youth go about seeking employment opportunities?
• What kinds of networks and social ties do they rely on for information about jobs?
• Do these ties help in achieving employment?
• What roles do returnee youth see for themselves in newly independent South Sudan?

The initial research was supported by a small grant from the UNHCR, and was envisioned as a pilot for a larger project. The research therefore focused on two towns in Eastern Equatoria State–one a regional market town and the other the state capital. Unfortunately conditions in South Sudan have not allowed me to expand this research as I had planned by conducting both qualitative and survey based research in each of the 10 states.