By Emelda Siama John Lopula
The government of Upper Nile State said it has dispatched a committee to return 41 abducted children that are being held hostage by Ayod spiritual Leader known as Makuach in Jonglei State.
Speaking to No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper on phone yesterday, the press secretary in the office of Upper Nile State governor, William Ronyo said there was a committee constituted to work on the process of returning the abducted children.
He said for the whole of this week they (committee) will meet Makuach and possibly the children will be returned.
“There are other mediators in the network which is the International Committee of Red Cross; the organization is responsible to pick the children to the UNCIEF, then UNCIEF will take back the children to their families,” Ronyo said.
Governor’s press secretary said the inter-communal conflict that happened in Lake Nasser in Pochalla County in October 2022 led to abductions of the children by Makuach who called himself Ayod spiritual leader.
The State Government under the leadership of the newly appointed Governor is trying to initiate peaceful efforts to secure and release those children which were abducted since October 2022 during violence.
“I don’t really know what duration wills the committee takes to bring back the children, but it might take numbers of days and weeks,” Ronyo said.
The constituted committee members which are in Juba are expected to depart tomorrow in search of the location of Makuach in Jonglei State to bring the children.