3 women kidnaped from fishing pond rescued in Twic County

AWEIL – Three women kidnapped from a fishing pond in Twic County, Warrap state, have been rescued after spending days in captivity.

Local authorities suspect the abductors were linked to intercommunal violence in the region.

Twic Mayardit County Commissioner Aguek Chan told Sudans Post on Tuesday that the women were kidnapped last week and confirmed they were rescued on Monday.

“Concerned authorities immediately informed the South Sudan Defense Forces stationed in Aneet and UNMISS uniformed personnel, who aided in the search for the women,” he said.

He expressed gratitude for the combined efforts that led to the captives’ reunion with their families.

“We owe our thanks to all forces involved in the rescue, particularly those in Aneet,” he said.

Disturbingly, the women reported experiencing torture at the hands of their captors. While expressing relief at being alive, they remain traumatized by the ordeal.

Chan acknowledged the ongoing investigation into the abductors’ identity, including the possibility of their involvement in revenge killings between Twic and Ngok Dinka communities in Abyei.

President Salva Kiir recently met with officials from Warrap, Abyei, and Western Bahr El Ghazal, urging them to de-escalate the intercommunal violence.

However, it remains unclear how effective these interventions will be in achieving lasting peace, particularly between the Ngok and Twic communities.