Teso Elders Shake Hands as Youth Watch: ICU’s Fragile Unity

By Joseph Admin Opio, Okadibong President

Reconciliation should heal an entire community, not just a circle of elders. Today, the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) seems to have embraced peace for the old, neglect for the young.

When conflicts erupted in ICU, young people were on the frontlines. They were mobilized, used, and carried the heat of the struggle. Now that reconciliation has arrived, it has arrived without them.

Since ICU’s disputes intensified in 2023 youth participation has been central to both mobilization and the defense of union interests. Young members organized security details, defended camps, and acted as messengers and coordinators. Yet, despite their pivotal role, reconciliation processes have focused almost exclusively on elders, leaving youth voices unheard.

Leaders declare the house united—but which house? The elders sit together, shake hands, and receive recognition. Meanwhile, the youth watch from the outside. Unity that excludes young people is not unity—it’s a photo session.

The youth have needs: recognition, roles, opportunities, and justice for the way they were treated. Ignoring these needs breeds disunity—not because the youth love conflict, but because they feel abandoned.

Every reconciliation meeting must include all generations: old, middle, young. Peace negotiated only among elders is fragile. It does not touch the ground. It does not change hearts.

Reconciliation in ICU today looks like settlements for the top and packages for the elders, leaving the youth who bore the burden of conflict behind.

You cannot build a united institution on a divided generation. Preaching peace while sidelining youth is hollow.

If ICU wants real unity, it must sit with the youth, listen, include, and compensate where necessary. Give them space in leadership. Make reconciliation a process, not an event.

Otherwise, what is called unity today will become tomorrow’s conflict.

Peace that forgets the youth is not peace—it is a postponed crisis.