Jonglei’s Twic East “clever boy” reunites with parents
By Philip Thon Aleu
July 7, 2009 (BOR TOWN) – A thirteen year-old boy abducted in March 2009 officially rejoined parents Monday after showing a false cooperation to abductors of Pibor County.
Abducted at Pakerdit cattle camp during school vacation in last March, Angok says the abductors who took him to Koongor, an area around Lekuongole Payam, Pibor County after 3 days and night of footing.
The cowboys were fishing when a group of nine men approached them about mid afternoon around Pakerdit – a swampy zone use for cattle grazing during dry seasons. Angok, who accidentally wounded hit his thigh with a spear on escaping was unluckily netted by the abductors. A journey to Koongor lasted 36 hours, he narrated.
Anguech Abudi, one of the Murle abductors, became ‘father’ inKoongor. Mr. Abudi gave Angok, the abducted boy, to his in-laws who live around Pibor town. One evening in that village, Angok says he saw a light and was told “that is where the government is.” Electric light was from Pibor, he said “I later learnt.” There he looked after cattle.
Two and half months on, he returned to Kongor where he was engaged in fishing activities for five days.
“On the sixth day, I pretended that I was sick and couldn’t manage fishing,” Angok said; swiping sweat in a state council of ministers hall where temperatures were below 16 degree Celsius.
“Then later on, I deceived a girl left with at home that I’m feeling better and would follow the group for fishing. I requested water container and a fishing spear,” he outlined.
“I set off but I diverted toward his [Abudi] in-laws home and where I saw ‘the government light’,” he said winning applause in a packed hall. The journey lasted for 24 hours. Angok said he reached Pibor at about 8am local time on July 1st where he met two Dinka Bor serving in the army there. He recalled them as men from Bor and Duk Counties.
“I doubted one of them and let him leave first before I introduced myself,” he further said.
On July 2, a journey that could reunite him with parents started. On July 3, Angok came to Bor Town by a Sudan People’s liberation Army (SPLA) truck.
“I’m happy to be in Bor again,” he declared. While Pibor territory, Angok said he played with four other children from Makuch Payam, Bor County but never informed them of his plan to escape.
On state government part, Deputy Gov. Hussein Mar Nyuot who chaired the sitting welcomes Angok with a mixture of reactions.
“It’s a very sad story but we are happy that he [Angok] is back,” Mr. Mar said. “It’s a very good day that this clever boy – from the way he told the story, is reunited with his parents,” Mar added.
The Deputy Governor offered 500 Sudanese Pounds for his clothing and purchasing of school requirements. He argued the parents to guide him keenly because he is psychologically affected “and would look suspiciously to non-Dinka as an enemy.”
Over a month ago, a child abducted in Juba, Central Equatoria State and identified as Umiyan John was rescued by the SPLA and returned to parents there. Unexpectedly, Deputy Mar said the abductor is alleged to be a butcher in Juba – highlighting that those who abduct children are enemies within. Mar said he asked the parents of Umiyan John are due to take legal measures immediately.
The heading over ceremony of Angok Mayen Garang to his uncle Angok Mayen Angok was attended by State Attorney Justice Mayen Hoka and a number of government officials.
An anti-abduction campaign is due to start in Jonglei state by September, 2009. The aim of the program will be to educate the communities engaged in the practices against such acts. A county-to-county search may also be included to unearth children held by non-biological parents.
Mar says the state government is committed to end child abduction with disarmament as priority because “if guns are collected, they [abductors] can’t be so aggressive like this.”
(ST)