By Hou Akot Hou
An unidentified mother abandoned a newborn child in grassy vegetation near a river at Wath-muok Payam, Aweil South County, Northern Bahr El Gazal state, over the weekend.
According to a Paramount Chief, Ayom Akol Wek, the woman left the child after giving birth to a baby girl, who is safe and healthy.
The baby was found in a grassy area near the river by another woman, who was walking along the riverbank and alerted the police about the incident.
“The newborn child was discovered by a woman walking by the river, and she informed the police,” Chief Ayom said. “The baby has now been taken to Aweil, where she is receiving care.”
“We are doing everything we can to track down the mother, although it is challenging. We are asking local residents to help identify her,” he added.
The chief attributed the rise in such incidents to poverty, noting that some parents, particularly fathers, do not assume full responsibility, leading young mothers or girls to face these situations alone.
He urged the public to avoid engaging in love affairs that could result in unwanted pregnancies.
A similar incident was reported last month in Aweil East County, at the border town of Majok-Yithiou Municipality, where a woman found a baby boy abandoned in a forest.
The child was later taken to a local health facility for treatment and care.