Four children who were abducted by gunmen last month in Abyei have been released, the UN has said.

The two boys and two girls were abducted during an attack on the village of Marial Achak in Abyei.

UNICEF says they were released after a tribal mediation supported by the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei.

UNICEF Representative in Sudan, Geert Cappelaere, says in a statement that children should never be held for ransom or against any other form of compensation.

“UNICEF condemns in the strongest possible terms all forms of abduction of children. Children are not a commodity and can never be held for ransom or against any other form of compensation,” said Mr Cappelaere.

“A country, region or community will only truly thrive if investment in health, development and protection against violence, abuse and exploitation of all girls and boys is a top priority and agreed by all.”

It is not clear if any ransom was paid for the release of the children.