The Acholi community in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state has urged authorities in Magwi County to investigate the abduction of four children and work to secure their safe return.
In a letter to Magwi County Commissioner Francis Lam Gabriel on Tuesday, Acholi Community Chairperson Otim David Okot called for urgent government and security intervention following a complaint from the Omeo community.
“The abduction of the four children from Omeo Community has caused untold pain and suffering to the families of the abducted children,” Okot said.
The children were identified as Jonathan Oloya Wani, 6; Stella Anyio Wani, 8; Ageno Ruth Wani, 4; and Achan Monday Wani, 4.
The Acholi community said a preliminary report indicated that the children had allegedly been abducted by armed elements from the Murle community in the Pibor Administrative Area.
Okot urged Magwi authorities to coordinate with the government of the Pibor Administrative Area to facilitate the children’s recovery and reunification with their families.
In a separate letter dated Aug. 31, interim Omeo Community chairman Jacob Onek condemned the abduction, saying it had caused fear and distress among families and residents in Omeo and surrounding areas.
Onek appealed to authorities, security agencies, community leaders and humanitarian organisations to make every effort to locate the children and return them safely to their families.
The Omeo community also called for those responsible for the alleged abduction to be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The letters did not provide details on when or how the children were abducted.
There was no immediate response from authorities in the Pibor Administrative Area.
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