A University of
Wisconsin graduate is heading to Washington, D.C., today and using his Wisconsin
connections in an attempt to rescue his nieces who were abducted in southern
Sudan.

Gabriel Kou Solomon, who
is currently attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota, will be
traveling to the nation’s capital with three other U of M students with the
hope of attracting attention to their situation.

Kou Soloman already has
the support of U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and hopes to garner attention
from southern Sudan's president Salva Kiir, who is meeting with U.S. Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice this week.

Daniel Bernard, who is
with the U of M Institute for Global Studies, said Kou Solomon's nieces were
abducted from their home on Oct. 3 by the Murle militia and the local police
have done nothing.

The Murle militia,
Bernard said, has abducted more than 450 children throughout the last two
years. The children are then used to perform household duties and eventually
marry the children of militia members.

"These guys just rode
into town, stole the kids, and the cops — or so called — have no resources," Bernard said.

The girls, daughters of
Kou Solomon's sister, are 3 years old and 18 months old.

Bernard said the 7,000-square
mile area is patrolled by 90 police officers with no cars, walkie-talkies or
cell phones.

"The state government is
too scared to confront them," Bernard said. "The national government could, but
for various reasons they have not so far. It looks like they might be about to,
but that's a bad outcome for little kids who are literally caught in the
crossfire."

Bernard said Kou Solomon
developed a relationship with Baldwin during his time at UW and contacted her
when the situation with his nieces arose.

"He met Tammy Baldwin
and they stayed in touch," Bernard said. "So when the situation happened, he
dropped a note to the secretary, and the person replied immediately, they
wanted to help, and to be frank, that's the most helpful response we've gotten
from anybody we've contracted about this."

With the help of
Baldwin, Bernard said the U of M students are hoping to meet with President
Kiir and encourage him to take action to resolve the situation.

Jerilyn Goodman,
spokesperson for Baldwin, said the congressman is looking forward to helping
Kou Solomon locate his nieces.

"The abduction of his
nieces is a tragedy for him and his family, one that is far too common in that
part of the world," Goodman said. "Congresswoman Baldwin is hoping for the
girls' safe return and supports efforts to call attention to these atrocities."

Bernard said student
attention for the situation spread on various Facebook groups, including one by
UW student Rachel Licker.

Student groups at the U
of M have also been supportive of Kou Solomon's efforts, Bernard said, as a
petition garnered approximately 1,000 signatures.

Bernard said while in
Washington D.C., the group of students also hope to contact Sen. Russ Feingold,
D-Wis., who has expressed concern over issues in Sudan in the past.