Fifty-year-old Biel Jal recalls the painful day last November when his two children were taken along with seven others in Nyirol County.
“My son and daughter were abducted, and it was a period of deep sadness for our entire community,” Biel said. “After spending time in Greater Pibor, they managed to escape and return home. I thank God they are alive, but adapting has been very difficult for them.”
Biel’s children, now aged 20 and 15, are struggling to reconnect with their community after months in captivity. Having learned a different language and culture, they find it difficult to communicate and reintegrate socially.
“Instability in the state allows criminals to hide in forests and cause unrest,” Biel added. “If the government focuses on defeating these criminals, lasting peace can come to the people of Jonglei and Greater Pibor.”
Another parent, Kaka Jiek, said reuniting with abducted children often feels like starting parenthood all over again.
“It’s like raising a new child — you have to teach them your language and your ways,” she said. “Some children even try to go back to their abductors when they feel misunderstood or unsafe. Others return to find their parents gone, which makes them feel abandoned.”
According to Lith Bol Gai, a child psychologist in Jonglei State, abducted children experience deep psychological scars that require specialized care.
“There are different types of trauma — acute, chronic, complex, and developmental,” Lith explained. “These children face separation from parents, loss of identity, and the stress of unstable living conditions. Without proper counselling, recovery becomes extremely difficult.”
Lith recommends trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as one of the most effective interventions.
“The therapy helps children connect their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Through group sessions in child-friendly spaces, they can express themselves through games, art, and storytelling — helping rebuild confidence and relieve trauma,” she said.
She also warned against community stigma toward rescued children.
“Stigma can undo all the progress made through counselling. Healing takes time, patience, and compassion,” Lith added.
Elijah Mayan Lul, Director General at the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, said both child abduction and cattle raiding remain serious human rights violations under the South Sudan Child Act.
“In 2023–2024, we registered 573 abducted children and women from six counties in Jonglei State,” Mayan said. “The governments of Jonglei and Greater Pibor are working jointly to identify and reunite victims with their families, though some areas remain difficult to reach.”
