Girls and women in certain areas of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) and Jonglei State have raised concerns over a lack of security and protection in light of increasing incidents of abduction by armed individuals.
In South Sudan, particularly in the troubled region of Greater Jonglei and its surroundings, child abduction has long been a prevalent issue. This harmful practice has persisted for years, with children, particularly girls, being the primary targets. More recently, however, there has been a noticeable shift towards targeting girls of marriageable age.
A variety of individuals interviewed by Radio Tamazuj have highlighted the absence of adequate protection. Many cited the challenging economic conditions as a contributing factor to the vulnerability of girls and women who are abducted for financial gain.
Articles 14 and 13 of South Sudan’s constitution guarantee equal legal protection for all individuals without discrimination based on factors such as race, ethnicity, sex, religion, or social status. The constitution also prohibits slavery or servitude in any form.
Speaking from Nyirol, a girl known only as Sunday expressed feelings of neglect. She spoke about the historical prevalence of child abduction, particularly during cattle raids, and the recent shift towards targeting girls for economic motives.
Another girl from Pochalla, Bereb John, called for improved safety measures for accessing services, suggesting the introduction of boarding schools to reduce abduction risks.
Multiple abduction cases involving girls have been reported in Jonglei State and GPAA in recent times. Sabra Obang criticised the government for what is perceived as inaction in addressing the escalating abduction cases.
Kenya Mach, a civil society activist in Jonglei State, condemned child abduction as a violation of human rights and urged government intervention. She stressed the need for civic education on gender equality and the empowerment of young men through vocational training and capital support.
Simon Manyok Deng, the Jonglei State government’s human rights advisor, described abduction as a harmful practice that degrades human dignity and called for dialogue with abductors to deter such acts. He also emphasised the importance of youth economic empowerment.
Dau Akoi, a lawyer based in Juba, called for the enforcement of existing legal tools to deter abductions, highlighting the criminality of the act under both national and international laws.
