Escape

Some 8,000 people are believed to be living as slaves in Sudan after being seized by Arab militias during the long war between north and south.

The war is now over and some ex-slaves have returned home. But most are finding life tough back in the devastated south.

Akuol Aguer Kuol arrived home in March 2007, after spending seven years in the north.

“I managed to escape with my children after I was beaten. My parents have died but I found my uncle. We had a big party.”

(2)

Paralysed

Marko Akot Deng Akot: “In 1987, the Arab militia came and attacked our village and took me.
My niece was also abducted but she was taken by a different man and I have not seen her since.

I had to look after the cattle, goats and sheep. I was only given left-overs to eat and sometimes nothing at all. One day, a cow went missing and I was beaten so badly that my right arm and leg are paralysed.

Now I want to go to school. As I am disabled, education is the only way I can get on.”

(3)

Twin

Abuk Atak Deng: “I was abducted along with my two brothers, Garang and Bol. But we were taken by different men and I have never seen them again.
Garang is my twin and I do not feel complete without him. A part of me is still missing.

I was forced to marry an Arab man, Abdoubhakir. I was 13 when I had my first child. He used to beat me and I always wanted to escape.

My chance came in November 2006. The first day back I slept the whole day – my first rest for ages.”

(4)

Rescued

Nyanjok Dor Ngor: “I was four when I was abducted in 1986, along with about 200 children from our village.

When I was 12, I was forced to sleep with my abductor and had a girl. Then I was given to his brother, Ahmed Tom, as his ‘wife’ and had three more children. He already had a wife and they both used to beat me.

In 2004, I was rescued by the police, along with three of my children. Ahmed tried to stop them but he was tied up. He came here to get me back but I don’t want to go.”

(5)

Sisters

Achol Dor Ngor(Nyanjok’s sister): “My abductor, Khalil, treated me very well. I only had to fetch the water.
He had a daughter and we were treated exactly the same. If he bought something for her, he bought just the same for me, too.

When the police first came, I wanted to stay with him but they forced me to come back and now I am happy to be here and see my family again.”

source:- www.bbc.co.uk