A rape victim who was found dead in Wau this week was actually only 13 years old, according to a state official, who also revealed that the suspected perpetrators are national army soldiers.
Radio Tamazuj reported yesterday that a “woman” was found raped and killed near the UN base in Wau but a state official later said that the victim was still a child.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Minister of Information in Wau state Bona Gaudisio aid the 13-year old girl on Sunday was raped to death by three members of the SPLA government forces near the UN ‘protection’ site in Wau town.
He said the authorities managed to arrest three soldiers for the rape of the 13 girl after she went out of the UN site with her mother.
“A woman went out from the UN camp with her 13 year daughter around 6:00. She was attacked by three people. She fled but her daughter couldn’t run so they raped her and she died. Those who committed this crime have been arrested,” said Bona.
Separately, the United Nations confirmed an “apparent killing” about 3 km from the Wau protection site but used the age-neutral word “female” to describe the victim.
Addressing press in New York Yesterday, spokesman Farhan Haq said, “UNMISS was informed yesterday afternoon of a deceased body of a female located some 3km from the Wau protected area, adjacent to the UNMISS compound.”
“The Mission is deeply concerned by this apparent killing of an unarmed innocent civilian. UNMISS urges the local authorities to undertake a rigorous investigation to find the perpetrators of this crime,” he added.
Haq went on to claim that UN peacekeepers in Wau are providing escort to women who go out of the base seeking firewood: “Since early May UNMISS female formed police units have been providing escort to women and girls, who leave the area to look for firewood, and other non-food items and the Mission continues to encourage community leaders and IDPs to use these escorts for their protection.”
Haq said that the UN Mission in South Sudan urges community leaders to “actively engage with UNMISS to find ways of ensuring that they can together further improve the safety of vulnerable persons and all other civilians living close to the base.”
Separately, the state information minister revealed that the government is sending 1500 more forces to keep the security in the area. “The forces are on their way to Wau and they might arrive today or tomorrow. They are comprised of national security service and police,” he added.
File photo: Civilians seek UN protection in Wau, June 2016