Civil Society Leader Condemns Abduction of Civilians in Yei

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The Yei Civil Society Forum has condemned the recent wave of abductions targeting civilians and community leaders in the area.

Last week, several civilians, including travelers, were abducted in Gimunu along the Yei–Juba road and in Pakula villages.

The outgoing commissioner of Yei River County, Emmanuel Taban Seme, told Eye Radio that four civilians, including youth and a deputy community chief, were abducted in Gimunu and Pakula villages on Thursday and Friday. The abductees were later released.

Former commissioner Taban Seme blamed forces of the SPLA-IO for the abductions, an allegation that Access Radio could not independently verify at the time of publication.

Similar abductions were also reported in Tokori and Madile villages. However, the abductees were later released last week.

Reacting to the incidents, Modi Arkangelo, leader of the Yei Civil Society Forum, said the acts violate human rights and freedom of movement.

Arkangelo warned that abducting civilians creates fear among community members and people returning from neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In an interview with Access Radio on Monday, Arkangelo said any act of taking someone without their consent is a crime and discourages people from moving freely.

He added that such incidents frighten families returning from refugee camps and negatively affect community life, including children going to school.

“Any situation where someone is taken without his or her consent is a crime. When youth or elderly people are picked up at night or during the day and later released, it creates fear in the community. People should be free to live their lives and move freely. Such incidents scare those returning from camps and discourage others from coming back. What happened in Gimunu and Pakula last Thursday and Friday has already affected movement in the area and disrupted children going to school.”

Meanwhile, residents in Yei town have appealed to the newly appointed commissioner of Yei River County, Samuel Malimo Batali, to prioritize peace and security in the county.