SOUTH SUDAN: UN raises the alarm after 125 women raped during 10-day spree of violence

The United Nation has expressed concern after no less than 125 women and girls were brutally raped by unknown gunmen in the northern town of Bentiu in South Sudan during a ten-day spree of violence.

According to the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), approximately 125 women and girls have sought medical treatment after having been raped or sexually assaulted as they walked along roads near Nhialdu and Guit on their way to Bentiu.

“The violent assaults happened in a Government-controlled area,” David Shearer, the head of the U.N. mission, said in a statement.

Read also: Temporal relief for May as EU leaders rubber stamp UK’s Brexit deal

“UNMISS peacekeepers have immediately sent patrols to the area to provide a protective presence and our human rights team has launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators.”

Shearer added, “the mission is also urging armed forces in the area to guarantee command and control over their troops to ensure rogue elements within their ranks are not involved in these criminal acts.”

However, the claims by the UN have been disputed by local officials who say the figures are unfounded.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now