At least two women were raped by gunmen who clashed with government forces in Eastern Bahr Naam County of Western Lakes State on Saturday, police said.
The two incidents reportedly occurred in Neemthok and Adol areas on Saturday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, the state police spokesperson, Capt. Elijah Mabor Makuac said the incident involved two women. Mabior added that the identities of the attackers and their motives are unclear.
“The criminals who have been causing us problems are the ones who raped the two women. They attacked the villages and looted properties of civilians and raped women. One was an old woman and the other was a pregnant mother,” Mabor said.
He further said police are searching for the suspects after the attacks on Saturday in Neemthok and Adol areas. He added that the rape victims are with police authorities in Eastern Bahr Naam County.
Mabor urged the locals to cooperate by reporting criminal activities to the police.
Meanwhile, an official from the network of civil society organizations in the Greater Lakes region condemned the incidents.
“The civil society organization strongly condemns the continuous rape of innocent mothers in the state. We will not relent, sit down and watch. While we are crying after the rape of our mothers, we need to ensure that justice take its course on time,” said Daniel Laat Kon, who works for Civil Society Organizations Network (CiSON).
He added, “All the traditions and our cultures of South Sudan do not support rape. We condemn the report in the strongest terms possible”.
The activist urged South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly to monitor the implementation of the country’s gender policy.
He appealed to the state government to work closely with stakeholders to ensure support is provided to survivors of sexual violence.
South Sudan laws prohibit offences related to rape and other sexual offences.