Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah Goc, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation confirmed the handing over of the children to the Kenyan Embassy.

The government of South Sudan has officially handed over two siblings who were trafficked to Vertet County of Greater Pibor Area to the Kenyan Embassy in Juba.

The Kenyan siblings identified as Peter Julius,12, and Sitoti Julius, 8, were recovered on December 13, 2023.

A Kenyan suspect identified only as John Juma and his aide from the Jie area were apprehended while coordinating the sale of the children.

The siblings were handed over to the national government by Commissioner Maiju on the 21st of December 2023.

According to Maiju, the suspects confessed the wrongdoing.

Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah Goc, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation confirmed the handing over of the children to the Kenyan Embassy in Juba on Friday.

“The officials in the Greater Pibor area for managing and handing over the perpetrators and their two South Sudanese facilitators, we want to announce that we officially today hand over the children to the Kenyan authority.

“What is important is that the country will not be a haven for human trafficking the law enforcement agents will be vigilant to observe the area for human trafficking,” said Mr Goc.

John Nyaga Gichobi, Charge D’affaires of the Embassy of Kenya in Juba confirmed receiving the two children on Friday, adding that his government is working to return the victims to their home country.

“Today [ Satuday], I confirmed receiving the two children we shall work together with the government of South Sudan to facilitate the return of the children to Kenya,”  he said.

Diplomat Abdallah Goc said perpetrators will be held to account.

 How it happened

On 13th December 2023, the Pibor authorities said the area police apprehended a Kenyan suspect only identified as John Juma, and his aide from the Jie area while coordinating the sale of the children.

The victims’ mother reportedly died some years and their father was said to be irresponsible.

Commissioner Maiju said the suspects confessed the wrongdoing.