SPLA soldiers have gang-raped women “on a large scale” after carrying out an attack on Kobi village along the Juba-Nimule road from Sunday night until Monday morning, a religious leader said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Episcopal Bishop Paul Yugusuk said at least six women, including two minors who are victims of rape, have been taken to Juba Teaching Hospital for treatment.
He said yesterday. “I am now at Juba Teaching Hospital. We have brought the women and the girls who were raped in Kobi village near Aru Junction along the Juba-Nimule road,” said Yugusuk.
He pointed out that the incident took place after SPLA troops attacked Kobi village from Sunday night until Monday morning.“The SPLA forces entered that village on Sunday night and gang-raped women and minors. We don’t know the number of the victims, but we have six cases that are in critical condition, the rest have run to the bush, the people have run away,” he said.
Yugusuk noted that the SPLA soldiers gang-raped women on a large scale during the attack, forcing unconfirmed number of victims and local residents to run to the bush.
The bishop called on the National Ministry of Defense to hold the perpetrators accountable, saying President Kiir recently ordered the SPLA leadership to publicly execute members of the armed forces if found raping women and girls in the country.
For his part, Lul Ruai Koang, spokesman of the SPLA army, said the army leadership has not yet received reports of the alleged attack on Kobi village. Lul pointed out that they will investigate the incident.
Photo (Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)