South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
Authorities in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area have reunited 591 abductees, including men, women, and children, with their families since 2024.
William Kuol Chuol, the Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare in Jonglei State, revealed on Thursday that the reunification efforts have successfully brought together 591 individuals from both regions.
“From both sides, we have reunited over 591 women, children, and men between 2024 and 2025. This is a terrible situation; children and women are suffering. Even now, we have a child who escaped from abductors in Pibor and arrived in Jonglei,” William told The Dawn in an interview.
“According to the current situation in Jonglei State, abductions are ongoing. Just last week, we reunited three children—one girl and two boys—who were brought from Greater Pibor to their biological parents,” said Chuol.
He mentioned that about two weeks ago, several children were reported abducted from Akobo County in Jonglei State by alleged abductors from Greater Pibor. He emphasised that the abduction of women and children is a serious violation of their rights.
Chuol also disclosed that last week, authorities in Jonglei State sent nine abductees, including three women and six children, from Ayod County to the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
“We also sent nine children who were abducted from Murle by the Greater Jonglei Youth in 2024. We received nine abductees from Ayod and sent them to GPAA, where they were reunited with their relatives,” he said.
“In 2024, we conducted a baseline survey and registration of missing and abducted individuals across six counties in Jonglei State. We registered 575 abductees, received only 20 children from Pibor, and there are still 555 individuals missing. We are urging GPAA to trace their whereabouts.”
Jacob Werchum Juok, the Minister of Information and Communication in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), reaffirmed the commitment of both GPAA and Jonglei authorities to reunite abducted children with their families.
“About a month ago, at the administrative level, we handed over five individuals to Jonglei—two children and a breastfeeding woman. Last week, they returned two children from Jonglei, one male and one female, and promised to send more,” said Juok.
“We have implemented measures to prevent criminals from entering neighbouring states to abduct children. Once caught, they face two years in prison and a fine of 40 cows, according to customary law.”