A South Sudanese civil society activist has welcomed the ongoing South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) crackdown on child trafficking.
On Sunday, SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai announced the dismantling of a network of child traffickers in the capital, Juba. He revealed that the group was involved in the theft and sale of 23 children in recent weeks.
The ongoing exercise saw the arrest of eight suspects, including former government officials. A manhunt is on for those at large.
Bol Deng Bol, executive director of INTREPIDD South Sudan and chairperson of the National Civil Society Alliance as well as Jonglei Civil Society Network, condemned child trafficking, describing it as inhumane. He said it has been prevalent and appreciated the army’s intervention.
“This act of child trafficking has left many families robbed of their loved ones and utterly traumatized. It is an inhumane act, a taboo in society, and is criminal in the Republic of South Sudan,” said Deng in a statement. “We condemn the trafficking of 23 children as reported by the SSPDF. This act has existed for generations, and since independence, there has not been any drastic and consistent intervention against it, making it seemingly a normal practice.”
The activist pointed out the broader prevalence of child abduction is linked to the country’s fragile security and a weak or lack of legal tools.
“The prevalence of child abduction, especially in areas covering Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria states, has remained unprecedented,” he said. “This is largely attributed to the chronic communal conflicts, cattle raiding, and road ambushes, including ineffective law enforcement and justice systems – general insecurity in this part of South Sudan.”
The activist appreciated the SSPDF’s intervention against child trafficking and commended their ongoing efforts in tracing and apprehending suspects.
“We hope that these efforts will be consistent and not a one-time intervention,” Deng said. “It should involve other government agencies and local authorities.”
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