13 Anyuak Children Rescued in South Sudan’s Jonglei

October 28, 2009 (BOR) – Thirteen children are due to reunite with their parents after reaching Bor Thursday from Pibor County, Jonglei state. Some abductors are being held in Pibor prison.

Collective efforts of local government authorities and traditional leaders have contributed to what Jonglei government describes as “positive development.” A recorded child rescue was in September, 2009 and the time State Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk visited Pibor when 13 were recovered with help of local people.

Children rescued from Murle abductors pose for a photo with UN agencies and state officials in Bor on Thursday (Photo by Peter Kayier)

Of 13 children, 9 are from Gambella region in Ethiopia and the rest are Southern Sudanese.

The latest contingent of children to be freed follows efforts of County Commissioner Akot Maze Adikir and local chiefs. Child abduction is common in Jonglei and started decades ago. Once abducted, the children are sold with cattle as a unit of exchange.

Of the 13 children that reached Bor, the capital of Jonglei state Thursday October 22, two children are from Dinka Bor of Jonglei, seven Toposa and four Lokoya children from Equatoria states. The children were flown to Bor with the help of UNMIS plane. After officially handed over to state government represented by Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk, Deputy Gov. Hussien Mar, Commissioner of headquarters Mac Malual and several MPs, the children were taken to a nearly accommodation where other former captives are dwell.

And for the first time since abducted several months or years ago there is certainty of safety and freedom without any fear of captivity. The children appear healthy but with tense moods.

In a meeting attended by State and UN agencies to determine reunion of children with biological parents held today Friday UNMIS agreed to airlift the children to Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria States immediately. 2 children from Jie – an ethnic group in Pibor County and part of the group that reached on Thursday have also reunited with their parents this week.

“This is a positive development,” Deputy Gov. Mar responded when asked whether the latest rescue could change the trend of child abduction in Jonglei state. Abductors, allegedly Murle tribesmen in Pibor, will be brought to justice, State Attorney James Mayen Oka told a meeting today.

However, there are difficulties to arrest kidnappers but 4 of are already sentenced in Pibor and will be transferred to Bor to serve their term of jail.

With arms littering at the hands of civilians, only well coordinated rescue of children is possible. However, the latest strategy of using sons of the area to persuade their kin mates seem to have worked in smoothing relations with government and traditional authorities, analysts say.