Child trafficking: Pibor rejects association with suspects
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Radio Tamazuj
The government of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area condemns child trafficking and supports the South Sudanese army’s operation, but says suspicions against individuals should not be attributed to the entire Murle community or its authorities. Eight people have been arrested in an investigation into the theft and sale of 23 children in Juba, and searches are continuing, according to Radio Tamazuj.
The government of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area in South Sudan has condemned child trafficking and backed the army’s crackdown, while rejecting wording that it says collectively associates its residents and officials with these crimes. Its Information Minister, Jacob Werchum Juok, called for individual responsibility to be distinguished from that of the administration and the Murle community in an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday morning.
The Greater Pibor government reiterated its willingness to work with security services to arrest those involved. Jacob Werchum Juok cited the detention of a female suspect in Gumuruk as an example of cooperation between local and national authorities. He also said that 27 women and children abducted in Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria states had been rescued and reunited with their families between June and August 2026.
The statement follows the announcement on 17 October that eight suspects had been arrested in Juba in an investigation into the theft and sale of 23 children in recent weeks. The suspects include former public officials, and other people are being sought. The Greater Pibor government requested credible evidence to support allegations that children are being bought and sold for cattle in Pibor and Gumuruk. The South Sudanese army had announced the dismantling of the network when eight suspects were arrested in Juba.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
