The Ominous Spectre of Child Abduction and Cattle Rustling: Jonglei’s Menace Spreads to Central Equatoria State
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By PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd.
Sunday, 15 October 2023 (PW) — The dark cloud of child abduction and cattle rustling that has long shrouded the cattle-keeping communities of Jonglei State in South Sudan is now casting its ominous shadow over the fertile lands of Central Equatoria State.
This menacing and endemic issue, predominantly confined to the pastoralist communities of Murle, Twic Dinka, Nyarweng Dinka, Hol Dinka, Bor Dinka, Lou Nuer, and Gawaar Nuer in Jonglei State, is now spreading its malevolence to the Equatoria region.
The cause of this ominous expansion can be traced to the forced migration of Dinka cattle keepers from Jonglei to Equatoria due to unprecedented flooding, attracting the unwanted attention of Murle child abductors and cattle rustlers who are targeting farming communities in the Equatoria region.
Reports from the region, particularly from Juba County’s Liriya Payam, paint a chilling picture. Residents have expressed their fear and panic as they have been witnessing the presence of abductors in their area over the past few days.
In recent days, reports suggest that armed abductors, numbering approximately five individuals, have been spotted in the vicinity of Liriya Payam in Juba County. This situation has understandably caused panic among the population, and authorities are grappling with how to address this growing insecurity.
This alarming development follows an incident that occurred just two weeks ago when three children, aged 4 and 6 years old, were abducted. In the same incident, a mother of two of the abducted children was attacked in her own home and left wounded. This is a chilling testament to the growing threat to the residents of Central Equatoria.
Christopher Sebit, the Director of Liriya Payam, has reported that these unidentified armed men even attempted to abduct a woman in Langabu Boma just two days ago. He has described the situation as a nightmare for the people of the area.
These child abductors, he emphasizes, are roaming freely in the region, causing fear and panic among the locals. Disturbingly, their presence is not a recent phenomenon; child abductions have been an ongoing issue in the area for a considerable period.
The last reported abduction case occurred on the 2nd of this month, but the fear persists as these armed individuals continue to move around the region. They typically operate in groups of four to five, and they are armed, further intensifying the sense of danger.
Officials in the affected areas have reported these incidents to the authorities, but action appears to be slow and inadequate. Central Equatoria State dispatched a delegation to the Pibor Administrative area in an attempt to engage in dialogue with their counterparts about the increasing cases of child abduction in the state. Unfortunately, the outcomes of this crucial meeting remain undisclosed to the public.
The fact that this menace is now knocking on the doors of Equatoria is a cause for great concern. It raises questions about the role of justice and the apparent silence of politicians who may be more focused on their personal interests and positions than on protecting the lives and safety of their constituents.
This grim situation requires urgent attention from both the local and national authorities. It is paramount to ensure the safety and security of the people in Central Equatoria State. A comprehensive approach involving disarmament, law enforcement, and community engagement is needed to end the menace of child abduction and cattle rustling.
In these trying times, the people of Central Equatoria need assurance, protection, and justice. It is time to unite against this pervasive evil that threatens the very heart of our communities. The silence of politicians and the inaction of authorities must not persist; they must prioritise the safety of their constituents above all else.
Child abduction and cattle rustling should have no place in our society, and our leaders must ensure that this ominous spectre is eradicated, not only in Jonglei but also in Central Equatoria and beyond.
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