Sudan: Children abducted in Abyei released after UN mediation

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2015-04-10

UNICEF confirms that a group of four children recently abducted by an armed group in Abyei has been released.

The children, two boys and two girls aged between 6 and 12, were abducted on 2 March by gunmen after an attack on the village of Marial Achak in the Abyei region.

They were released following tribal mediation supported by UNISFA, the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei. UNICEF and its partners are working to reunify the children with their families and are providing them with psychosocial support.

“UNICEF condemns in the strongest possible terms all forms of abduction of children. Children are not a commodity and can never be held for ransom or against any other form of compensation”, said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Representative in Sudan. “A country, region or community will only truly thrive if investment in health, development and protection against violence, abuse and exploitation of all girls and boys is a top priority and agreed by all.”

Source: United Nations Children's Fund