A 72-year-old woman was raped by a soldier in Lokiliri County in South Sudan’s Jubek State, a religious leader said today.

The Archbishop of Central Equatoria Province, Paul Pitia Benjamin Yugusuk, told Radio Tamazuj that the first information report was lodged on Monday on the basis of a complaint from the woman.

“The victim is from my diocese. She is being treated at Juba Teaching Hospital,” Yugusuk said.

The clergyman further said the incident occurred after the elderly woman had gone to her farm in Nesitu area, about 14 miles from the capital Juba.

The religious leader condemned the rape of the woman and called for stronger and immediate action to improve safety for women and girls in the country.

He confirmed that the perpetrator is behind bars for raping the elderly woman.

For his part, army deputy spokesman Santo Domic confirmed the incident. He said that the soldier had been arrested on rape charges.

Domic stressed that the army will not tolerate those committing rapes.” I want to say that complete justice will be done. The rape case is being handled by the police and the victim is receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said.

Sexual violence has been widespread in the country due to the conflict.

There were high hopes that South Sudan would peace and security after the September peace deal.