Eastern Equatoria lawmaker blames Murle youth for abduction of 3 children

TORIT – A member of Eastern Equatoria State parliament representing the Jie community of Kasengor Payam in Kapoeta East County has accused Murle youth of abducting three children aged between 8 and 12 years old.

Zakaria Ngoletiang appealed to the government of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) to return the abducted children to their families. He emphasized the need for peace in the region and urged Murle youth to embrace unity.

“Yesterday, Murle youth abducted three children from Kasengor,” Ngoletiang said told Sudans Post yesterday. “All three children are boys, aged 8, 9, and 12. This is not the first time Murle have abducted our children. This year alone, they have abducted 20 of them.”

The MP revealed that the children were abducted during daylight while raiding their cattle for grazing. The Kasengor community realized they were missing after waiting for their return until 5 PM. They then sent youth to follow them but found the children were gone.

“There was no fighting,” Ngoletiang added. “The Murle simply abducted the children.”

The Eastern Equatoria State lawmaker acknowledged the threat and insecurity the Murle community has inflicted upon their community, describing it as a habitual practice.

Zakaria cited several peace conferences that have been dishonored by the Murle community due to their persistent abductions within the Greater Kapoeta region and beyond.

He called upon the Greater Pibor administration to cooperate with stakeholders, including chiefs and youth leaders, to help return the abducted children and their livestock to Kasengor.