Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan speaking during a joint press conference in Juba on Friday, 16th Feb 2024. Photo Credit: Charles Wote/Eye Radio

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said it is troubled by the increasing cases of abduction and human trafficking between Jonglei State and Pibor Administrative Area.

The Commission’s chairperson, Yasmin Sooka, and commissioners Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández arrived in the country on February 12 and travelled to Bor and Pibor to speak to authorities and survivors of the recurrent subnational violence.

Ms. Sooka told a press conference that the rights commission has documented an increase in cases of abduction and shocking tales of trafficking involving armed groups and members of the armed force.

She said although abductions and trafficking are not a new phenomenon in the former Greater Jonglei region, its impact on women and children is “deeply” troubling.

“We traveled to Pibor and to Bor and we noted an increase in the proliferation of abductions. Now, while abductions are not a new phenomenon in South Sudan the increase and the impact on women and children is deeply troubling,” Sooka said.

“Abductions have resulted in male members of families being killed women and children taken as forced wives and sexual slaves with some of them even being trafficked.”

She said the atrocities are carried out by armed groups as well as members of the Armed Forces.

According to Sooka, authorities in Jonglei State and Pibor Administrative Area, have told the commission they lack the resources to deal with the phenomenon.

The South African human rights lawyer, said the commission documented the testimonies of women abducted, and whose releases have been accompanied by the payment of ransom to abductors following the intervention of authorities.

“Women spoke about being auctioned off with their children as if they were slaves and sold on to different individuals. The perpetrators of these abductions need to be held accountable.”

She further denounced an alleged payment of ransom to the perpetrators by authorities in order to rescue abducted women and children.

Ms. Sooka said the demand and payment of ransom constitute corruption and criminal collusion, while the abduction amounts to a serious international crime.

“The payment of ransom also provides perpetrators with incentives to continue abductions and that deepens impunity in the country.”

The rights lawyer called on the South Sudan government to establish an independent and functioning justice system to bring rule of law closer to the communities.

She added that there is need for the government to demonstrate political will in addressing conflict related sexual violence in the country.

“The government has to establish an independent functioning justice system all over the country which ensures that judges and prosecutors are present and accessible to local people.”

“The government must demonstrate political will and recommit to the 2021 action plan for the Armed Forces on addressing conflict related sexual violence. This expired six weeks ago.”

“It must also abide by its treaty obligations, including the recently signed Maputo practical and these processes must be supported by the necessary resources to ensure that implementation is effective.”

The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is an independent body mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

First established in March 2016, it has been renewed annually since.

The Commission assesses the situation of human rights in South Sudan
and to make recommendations to prevent a deterioration of the situation, with a view to
its improvement.

In January 2023, the UN children agency – UNICEF condemned the abductions and atrocities against 65 children and women from Greater Pibor Administrative Area by armed youth from Jonglei State.

In a press statement, UNICEF indicated that there were incidents of rape, sexual violence, physical beatings and gross deprivations during the violence in Pibor.