Local authorities in South Sudan’s Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) said 81 women and children abducted during an attack last month by an armed group from neighbouring Jonglei State remain missing and have urged their recovery.
On April 26, Wuno Payam in Likuangole was attacked by suspected SPLA-IO and White Army fighters. Initial information from the area was limited due to its remoteness and lack of telecommunications. The SPLA-IO has previously denied involvement.
In findings released on May 26, the GPAA government said 17 civilians were killed and 12 others injured in the attack. It also reported that 81 women and children were abducted and 1,528 head of cattle were raided.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, GPAA Information Minister Jacob Werchum Jouk said the abductees remain unaccounted for and called for intervention by authorities in Jonglei State.
“Of the 81 abductees, 56 were children and the rest were women. It took us so long to assess and come out with the report because the area is remote and without telecommunication network,” he said. “Those attackers came from Uror in Jonglei State and we urge the authorities there to intervene.”
He said the attack violated grassroots peace efforts and that recovering the abductees would help rebuild trust between communities.
Uror County Commissioner James Gatkhor Gatluak said he had been informed of the incident but that details remained unclear.
“I learnt about last month’s incident. However, we do not have details of the identity of these cattle raiders and whether they arrived in Uror with any abductees,” he said.
He said an investigation committee had been formed and findings would be made public once completed.
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