A group of human rights activists have urged the government and the international community to investigate circumstances under which 11 women were allegedly raped in parts of Yei River County between January and March.
The incidences reportedly occurred in Lasu and Rubeke villages.
Paul Yoana Bonju, a lawmaker representing Yei River County in the national legislative assembly, urged the relevant authorities to take punitive measures against the perpetrators of violence against women in Yei.
Jame David Kolog, the Executive Director for Foundation for Accountable Governance (FODAG), urged the government to investigate the matter and ensure perpetrators are held responsible.
“They should be prosecuted because this is a total violation of human rights more especially on the women and girls in this nation. This is a crime that must not happen when we are implementing the revitalized peace agreement. That is why it must be investigated to send a message to people who commit such crimes,” he stressed.
For his part, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), appealed to the government and the ceasefire monitoring body (CTSAMVM) to ensure transparent investigations are carried out to support the establishment of the long-awaited Hybrid Court.
He further appealed to the government’s military court to hold the perpetrators of such human rights violations accountable.
“Our call is that the AU Peace and Security Council communique called on IGAD to ensure the Government of South Sudan has completed the process of the Hybrid Court before the 9th of June 2020 and rape is one of the criminal offenses that cannot be compromised. We are calling on CTSAMVM to investigate these cases and the government military court should make their findings transparent to the public and hold the perpetrators accountable,” said Yakani.
Hakim Wani, an administrator for the defunct Otogo County, confirmed the incident, revealing that four SSPDF soldiers were arrested and are in a military prison awaiting trial.
He said court procedures have delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“We did all their court proceedings and the four suspects who admitted that they have raped three women in Lasu are in the prison awaiting trial. The file has been submitted to the state administrator,” he explained.
He added, “However, the suspects who raped six women in Rubeke village have not been arrested till now”.
Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang was unavailable to comment on the matter.