Peter Gatkuoth Koang told reporters on Monday that the children arrived in Nyirol over the weekend after fleeing from the Gala-Chel military barracks, where they were reportedly held for weeks. He said the boys were initially seized from public spaces in Juba’s Mangaten neighbourhood before being flown to Malakal and later transferred to the training camp.
According to the commissioner, the children said they were denied contact with their families and were not informed why they had been detained. One boy was allegedly shot dead while attempting to escape and was left in the bush.
“Yesterday I received 23 children who were abducted from Juba, transported to Malakal and then to Gala-Chel, the SSPDF training centre,” Gatkuoth said. “They escaped from the training camp. These children are underage.”
He added that the survivors were handed over to medical workers from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), many showing signs of torture, dehydration, starvation, and emotional trauma.
Some of the boys could not recall their parents’ phone numbers. The oldest among them is reportedly 17.
Gatkuoth urged government bodies, human rights organisations and child-protection agencies to immediately intervene and investigate the alleged forced recruitment of minors.
“Human rights law is clear. Children under 18 must not be involved in military activities. This is unlawful. Human rights bodies should investigate,” he stressed.
Sixteen-year-old survivor Justin Phillip said he was abducted while operating a rickshaw in Juba before being flown to Malakal dressed in a prison uniform.
“When we asked why we were arrested, they gave no explanation… They said we were going for military training,” he narrated, adding that the group walked eight days through the bush to reach Lankien.
Medical and humanitarian support underway
MSF workers in Lankien are treating the survivors and providing psychosocial support. Jonglei State Minister of Gender, Child and Social Affairs, William Kuol Chuol, confirmed that efforts are underway to trace family members and verify the identities and ages of the children.
Kuol said his office is coordinating with UNICEF and child-protection partners to reunite the boys with their families and ensure accountability for any violations.
“These children were referred to as ‘defected soldiers’, yet they are minors,” Kuol said, adding that the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Commission would be involved in the process as investigations continue.
