South Sudanese families await return of children abducted by rival armies

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - As the world marks the International Day of Innocent Victims of Conflict on Friday, several South Sudanese families recall their missing family members and children who were abducted and drafted into rival armies.

In the capital Juba, five children, whose father was abducted by rebels in 2019 and never to be seen again are struggling against odds.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, their mother Mary Simon, 50, said she has been struggling to take care of children, who have already dropped out from schools for want of fee.

“My husband was abducted by rebels in 2019 and up to now, I do not know where he is. I have been struggling to take care of the children,” she said.

The conflict that broke out in December 2013, due to political disagreement between President Salva Kiir and his then-deputy Riek Machar has distributed thousands of families in the country.

Since it disrupted oil production which is the main source of hard currency, people are struggling to afford basic needs like food and other essentials due to low purchasing power amid hyperinflation.

“The conflict has affected me. My children are not going to school and they have been crying in the morning while seeing other children heading to school,” said Simon.

Sarah Chagai, 38- year -old mother of three said that her child was abducted by a rebel group in 2015 and has since not been seen again.

“I am one of the victims of conflict in South Sudan. My 16- year old boy was abducted in 2015 and up to now he still away, I don’t know whether he is alive or not,” she said.

Chagai called upon the government to rebuild the lives of those who have been affected by conflict to give them some support.

“Unfortunately, two of my kids were abducted in 2017 from my home just a few miles away from the county headquarter, South of Panyagor in Jonglei state,” said Deng Samuel.

- Children forced to work for armies

He said that he has been petitioning the government to trace his children.

“It is shocking still because I was working for their upbringing. I wrote a letter to the then Jonglei state governor to help in tracing my children but it was all in vain. I would also call on the relevant authorities to help in search my little kids,” he said.

He said the abductors had killed grandfather and injured the mother of the children when they raided the home.

A former child soldier who identified himself as Marial said that he has been abducted by the rebel group in 2017 and forced to carry a gun to fight.

“It is not easy to be in the bush. I faced a lot of challenges when I was with rebels. They forced me to cook, wash clothes and also guard the senior officers,” he added.

He remained with rebels for two years but later managed to escape and reunite with his family.

Maj. Gen. Michael Majur Aleer, the director for general training in the South Sudan People’s Defense Force said political instability which created a worsening socioeconomic problem has exacerbated the situation of children across the country.

"Our situation was a little good but it is deteriorating. Along the Juba-Lainya Road, there was an ambush in which 18 people were abducted among them were 9 children,” he said.

He said children continue to be victims of armed attacks in several parts of the country.