Aweil Teenager Offers SSP One Million to Find Family Separated by War

(Aweil) – An 18 year old South Sudanese youth, Mustafa Deng Akot Akot, originally from Angar Chuei Boma in Aweil North County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, is appealing to the public for help in finding his missing family, from whom he was separated during the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Mustafa last saw his family in 2023 while they were living in Wad Madani, Al Jazirah State, Sudan. In an interview with the Aweil News Agency, he recounted his experience of being captured by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group involved in the country’s civil war.

“I’m desperately looking for my family after we lost contact in 2023,” he said. “We were living in Wad Madani before I was captured by the RSF. I was kidnapped and forced to work for them under difficult and exploitative conditions. After several failed attempts, I finally escaped.”

Since his escape, Deng has not heard from his family and fears they may have been displaced or harmed in the conflict. He is currently in a safe location outside Sudan (which has not been disclosed for security reasons) and is being supported by a well wisher who has helped cover his living expenses.

Deng is searching for his mother, Ahok Wal, believed to be in her fifties, his older brother Akot Deng, who is 21, and his younger brother Akuei Deng, aged 5. All were last seen in Sudan before the family became separated in the chaos of war.

Born and raised in Angar Chuei Boma, Jac Payam, Aweil North County, Mustafa hopes his story reaches South Sudanese communities in the region and abroad, especially those who might have crossed paths with displaced families fleeing from Al Jazirah State after the outbreak of violence.

He has offered a reward of 1 million South Sudanese Pounds (equivalent to approximately $770 USD at the current exchange rate) to anyone who can provide verified information that leads to the reunion with his family.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Mustafa Deng directly via WhatsApp at +254 795 999 118 or email at mustafahdengoo1@gmail.com.