Ethiopia  releases  27 South Sudanese Herders Held with Firearms

By Awan Achiek

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that the Ethiopian government has released 27 herders from Eastern Equatoria who were detained last week for illegal entry with firearms.

The herders were arrested along the border for crossing into Ethiopia in search of pasture for their livestock while carrying illegal guns.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not specify the exact date when the South Sudanese nationals were released from detention in Ethiopia after crossing the border.

Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the 27 youths from Eastern Equatoria were released following coordination with the government of Ethiopia.

“We have good news, actually. The ministry has been engaging with the Ethiopian government regarding the plight of these 27 youths. They have been released,” Mayen told reporters during a weekly press conference in Juba on Thursday.

Ambassador Mayen stated that there are plans to repatriate them to South Sudan.

“They were actually jailed, so now they are released, and they are awaiting transportation back to the country,” she said.

She stated that the ministry will announce the date for their arrival once the logistical arrangements are finalised.