UNICEF demands release of S. Sudan’s abducted children

March 1, 2015 (JUBA) – Scores of children seized by armed men in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state are still in captivity, despite intensive efforts to locate and free them two week after their abduction, the United Nations Children agency (UNICEF), revealed.

Last week, UNICEF reported that 89 children were abducted, but now says the numbers of those forcibly recruited as child soldiers may be in hundreds.

In addition, adult males were also forcibly recruited during the February 15 and 16 raid, according to the agency, which accuses a pro-government militia of being responsible.

“Following information provided to a team of staff from UNICEF and UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism partners, UNICEF is confident that the armed group which took the childrenwas a Shilluk Militia under the control of Johnson Oloni,” the agency said.

“This militia is aligned with the Government’s SPLA [South Sudan army] forces,” it added.

The area where these abductions allegedly occurred is a volatile region known for fierce clashes between pro-government soldiers and the armed opposition forces.

Although UNICEF largely relies on information provided by its partners on the ground, the agency says heavy militia presence in Wau Shilluk area of Upper Nile makes it impossible to receive first-hand information.

“In discussions with the SPLA in Melut it was confirmed the forced recruitment of the children took place and many of the children were being sent to Melut. Witnesses also stated many children have been seen in a training camp near Wau Shilluk and that in Melut children as young as 12 years old were seen carrying guns but not in uniform,” the agency said.

“The SPLA stated that the Johnson Oloni militia was outside its control,” it added.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Meanwhile, UNICEF’s representative in South Sudan, Jonathan Veitch has demanded that those abducted be immediately released and allowed to continue with studies.

“We fear they are going from the classroom to the front line,” said Veitch.

“UNICEFappeals to Johnson Oloni to let those children go back to school and be with their families, immediately”, he added while also urging the Government of South Sudan to use whatever influence it has to secure release of the abducted children.

(ST)