A 20-year-old girl was beaten to death by her cousin brother in Gok State because she had defied the family’s wishes and decided to marry a man who cannot pay dowry, police said.

The incident took place in Duany County on Monday.

Colonel Martin Matur, the acting police commissioner in the state, told Radio Tamazuj this afternoon that 20-year-old Nyanjang Majiec Chol was beaten to death by her cousin brother after being impregnated by a poor man who cannot pay dowry – cattle or money brought by a bridegroom to his in-laws to meet marriage terms.

“The girl was beaten to death by her cousin brother because she was impregnated by a poor man. The perpetrator identified as Magan Manyin Chol wanted a man who can offer the family 200 cows as dowry,” Martin explained.

The senior police officer revealed that the man responsible for the girl’s death had been arrested to face murder charges.

Many communities in South Sudan forcibly marry off their daughters for dowry – including girls who are under the age of 18. Men willing to marry need to convince the girl's family that they have the desired qualities and are able to take good care of their daughter, and this is portrayed through the ability to meet dowry terms.

In April 2019, a 20-year-old girl was beaten to death in Eastern Lakes State for refusing to marry a suitor that had been arranged for her by her parents. The suitor had offered the family 40 cows as dowry.

Article 15 of the South Sudan constitution states that any person of marriageable age has the right to form a family, and Article 17 guarantees women and girls the right to consent to marriage.