At least 18 abductees have been handed over to the Jonglei State government through the UN Mission (UNMISS) on Friday, the authorities in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) said.
Those abducted in recent years included women and children from Equatoria and Jonglei states.
Oleyo Akuer Nyaluth, the GPAA Information Minister, told Radio Tamazuj that these individuals had been taken in various abduction incidents over the past years, leaving their communities and families in distress.
“Those who were abducted by criminals have been handed over to the government of Jonglei in the presence of Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi. The children are 18 in number, and 4 of them belong to Equatoria while the rest are from Jonglei State,” Oleyo said
The minister said the handover of the abductees confirms the GPAA government’s commitment to find a solution to child abduction issues and foster peace and reconciliation in the affected areas.
For his part, William Kuol Chuol, the Jonglei state minister for Gender, Child and Social welfare, has welcomed the move, saying it is a positive gesture towards upholding human rights and aiding the victims of the conflicts.
Kuol said the handover is a step forward in the collaboration between local authorities in Pibor and Jonglei and international organizations to ensure the safety and well-being of the South Sudanese people. He added that he hopes that the action will pave the way for more recoveries and reunifications of abducted individuals with their families in the future.