Traditional leaders in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) have resolved to criminalize child abduction, imposing strict penalties on offenders in a bid to curb the practice and improve security.
The resolution was reached during a two-day conference that concluded on Friday, which brought together chiefs and youth leaders from the Murle Community. The leaders unanimously agreed that anyone found guilty of child abduction will face a fine of forty cows and a jail term of five years.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the GPAA Information Minister Jacob Werchum Juok said the resolutions were formally adopted and signed by chiefs and community leaders.
“The resolution is that the people should refrain from attacking humanitarian convoys on the roads, should not stop the movement of vehicles, should not cross the border to attack neighboring communities, and should not abduct children,” he said. “Anyone found abducting a child will be held accountable by paying cows and serving five years in prison, among other penalties.”
According to the minister, the conference was convened to discuss key government policies, including dry-season movement, road ambushes, attacks on neighboring communities, cattle raiding, and child abduction.
He explained that the meeting also served as a call for traditional leaders to take responsibility for implementing government policies, particularly during the dry season when communities are highly mobile.
Minister Werchum added that the conference focused on five counties dominated by the Murle Community, noting that most of the crimes reported in the GPPA are committed by Murle youth. He said the resolutions are expected to strengthen community accountability and reduce insecurity in the area.
However, human rights activist Ter Manyang Gatwech expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such resolutions, citing past failures.
“We have seen similar conferences held in past years; however, they did not achieve tangible results due to poor approaches and the hypocrisy of some political leaders who do not genuinely want the issue of child abduction to end,” he said.
Manyang emphasized that child abduction is a serious crime punishable by law and called for an honest approach and strong civic education to end the practice between Greater Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.