A Sudanese trader who was convicted of defiling, murdering, and dumping the body of five-year-old Abuk Lual into a pit latrine in Aweil in 2022 was executed by hanging on Wednesday at Wau Central Prison.
Abusam, 42, was executed at approximately 2pm. South Sudan time.
The execution was carried out in the presence of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Governor, Simon Mawut, alongside the victim’s parents, and officials from South Sudan Judiciary.
Defence lawyer Garang Akok Mading confirmed the execution, saying justice was done.
“Today we want to assure the general public of South Sudan and Northen Bahr el-Ghazal in particular that the case of the late Abuk has been closed. The criminal, Sabir Abdallah Abusam, has been executed after spending five years in prison,” said Mading.
“The conviction of Abusam was implemented today at 2:10pm in the presence of the Governor, the late Abuk Lual Lual’s parents, and an uncle. Justice has been achieved,” he said.
State Information Minister Gabriel Deng Yel also welcomed the move, saying the law of South Sudan does not allow crimes to go unpunished.
“Our main purpose of coming to Wau was to witness the execution of Sabir Abdallah, the man who defiled our young angle Abuk Lual,” said Yel.
“The Republic of South Sudan law has made it clear that any crime does not go unpunished. Though there were some doubts that the culprit may escape, the execution has proved that we are working according to the law,” he said.
The State Coordinator for the Community Empower for Progress Organization, Stephen Musa Robo, welcomed the justice, describing it as a lesson to perpetrators.
“The country has a justice system and justice takes it course. It is a lesson to all the perpetrators. We welcome the execution,” said Robo.
The family of the late Abuk Lual appreciated the Governor for his efforts and engagements with the authorities to ensure that justice was served.
Abusam was sentenced to death by hanging in June 2022 by the Aweil High Court after he was founded guilty of defiling and murdering the girl.
The Court of Appeal in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal State in May 2022 affirmed the death sentence.
Sabir was arrested on May 5, 2022 in the Ayuang residential area in Aweil following public demonstrations after the gruesome murder.