Juba, January 23, 2023 (SSNA) — The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Nicholas Haysom says recent abductions in the Greater Pibor Administrative area are “barbaric” and that such a practice should not be used in any shape or form.
On its part, the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, condemns the abductions and says 16 women and 49 children who were abducted have been released.
“There can be no justification, not in past atrocities, not in any culture, nor in any law, for this violence against already vulnerable people,” UNICEF said in a statement.
The office of the UNMISS head states in a separate statement that negotiations were key to securing the release of those who were abducted.
Intercommunal violence and cattle raids have been linked to many abductions in South Sudan with most abductions taking place in Jonglei State.