A 60-year-old woman has been forcibly raped by a member of the Mathiang Anyoor militia in Mukaya County, located three kilometers away from Yei town in South Sudan’s Yei River State, a local official said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Saturday, Beneya Jojon, Mukaya County Commissioner, said the incident took place last week when a group of more than 20 members of the government-supported militia raided the area under the pretext of carrying out night patrols.
He pointed out that the government soldiers looted civilians’ properties and raped the old woman at gunpoint after she refused to give them some food.
“According to the report, the SPLA soldier was in Mathiang Anyoor uniform and they [soldiers] have been going there looting properties. I have already forwarded the case to the SPLA commander in the area for investigation,” he said.
The local official identified the rape victim as Nyoka, saying she was taken to Yei Civil Hospital for treatment after police investigations.
Reacting to the incident, Victoria Nasirah Augustine, Director General for Gender and Social Development in Yei, condemned the incident, while calling upon the national government to take serious measures against the perpetrator.
“I personally condemn this act seriously. This act of raping an old woman including breastfeeding mothers is unacceptable,” she said.
“I urge the national government to look into this issue very seriously because without looking into such issues, it will disappoint the community and force them to leave the country and the state,” she added.
Last month, President Salva Kiir ordered his defense minister and the army chief to execute members of the armed forces if found of raping women and girls.
Speaking on a religious occasion in the town of Yei, Kiir said members of the security forces who were convicted of rape would be severely punished.
Radio Tamazuj
