Unknown armed men beat and raped a 38-year-old woman in Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria last week, a women leader told Radio Tamazuj.

Achan Lilly Robert said the incident took place when the victim was on her way to collect firewood in the neighbourhood.

 “That woman in Amica village went to the bush and met four soldiers. Two of them came, beat and raped her while others sat under the tree,” she explained.

The women leader condemned the incident, calling on the relevant authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Separately, the former Magwi County commissioner, David Otto Remson said no arrests have been made so far.

“This incident happened deep inside the village. The woman was going to cut grass or collect firewood when the incident took place,” said Otto.

South Sudan laws provide for protection of women and girls from sexual abuse and exploitation and gender-based violence, including rape, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.