Slavery has only re-emerged in the last decade. The resurgence of slavery was described in a 1987 report by two Northern Sudanese university lecturers, who linked it to the militias. Many of today's slaves were taken during the 1986-89 period, before the current regime seized power. The government has repeatedly denied that slavery exists, but under international pressure it set up committees to investigate the question in early 1996. In practice, the government uses the militias to destroy villages and terrorize entire communities.
Some captives become hostages, some become slaves.
When families of captives try to get their children back through the courts,the government has not often been helpful. And close to the war zones, few people are brave enough to challenge militia fighters in court. Some escape, some are released by the courts or by inter-tribal negotiation. Rezeigat and Dinka representatives have negotiated for the release of hundreds of Dinka children in return for access to fresh pastures and water controlled by the Southerners - underlining how ecology affects the conflict. But paying ransoms is not a solution.