32 abducted Ethiopian children found in Baba Medan's home county
The deputy governor of South Sudan's proposed Boma state said yesterday that 32 abducted Ethiopian children have been recovered by local chiefs in Likuangole county, the home county of Boma governor Baba Medan.
Ethiopia's government has said that over 100 children were abducted by a Murle militia during an attack in Gambella region which killed more than 200 people last month.
"The chiefs of Likuangole they said they have got thirty two children and these children they informed about the figure but they have not brought the children to the Boma state headquarters Pibor," said deputy governor Ogato Cham, speaking to reporters in Juba on arrival from Pibor.
Ogato said the security situation is calm but accused an unnamed rebel group of taking up positions around the area of Pibor town. However, he said there are few flights going to the state except for one United Nations flight to Pochalla and Pibor and the charter plane which took him to Juba.
Meanwhile, both Baba Medan and deputy defense minister David Yau Yau are expected in Addis Ababa to help address the situation. Ethiopia's army entered South Sudanese territory on Monday to search for the children, according to sources.
Map: Small Arms Survey, 2013
Related:
Murle politicians reach accord as Ethiopian army enters South Sudan (3 May)