The local authorities in Jonglei State’s Akobo County have confirmed that the number of children abducted from Akobo several years ago and subsequently returned from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) has now reached 14.
The heartwarming reunions, however, come with a unique challenge because some of the children cannot recall the names given to them by their biological parents.
Puok Nyang Tutjiek, the commissioner of Akobo County, told Radio Tamazuj that three children arrived in Akobo County on 9 July 2024.
“These children,” Puok explained, “remember only their first names, which has made identification a complex task.”
He said that despite the memory gaps, their return has brought hope to families who had long feared they would never see their missing children again.
The recent arrivals join a growing group of children who returned from the GPAA. Two girls and one boy came back on 5 July 2024 following an earlier group of seven children. The children now reside in the commissioner’s residence where they are receiving care and support as they reintegrate into their communities.
Commissioner Puok said the scars of abduction may linger, but the love and determination of their families promise a brighter future for each child who has found their way back home.