South Sudan accuses Sudanese soldiers of rape

The commander of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) in Unity State, has accused officers of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) for raping 11 South Sudanese women who were fleeing ongoing conflict to South Sudan.

 Maj. Gen William Manyang Mayak , revealed on Thursday that 11 women and girls were raped on Wednesday at the border around Elij oil company and Panakuach North of Unity State.

“Sudan Armed Forces have raped four girls and seven women on Wednesday, one of the girls is 13 years- old and is right now in severe condition in Panakuach health facility,” Manyang told Juba Echo in an interview in Bentiu town.

He disclosed that the other rape victims are also being treated.

Manyang added that last week elements from Sudan Armed Forces together Missiriya armed militia raped women and girls, adding that they also tortured some youths at the border.

 “As a commander in charge of South Sudan People Defense Force, I condemn the action taken by some Sudan Armed Forces, this is unlawful act being done to our citizens at the border, I have already instructed SSPDF at the border to protect the returnees against wrong doers,” he said.

Manyang also confirmed talking to officers of the Sudan Armed Forces to protect South Sudanese as they cross the border into Unity State.

“I have talked to junior officers of the SAF at the border to protect South Sudanese returnees at the border, but rape incidents continue to happen up to now,” he said.

 Thousands of returnees are arriving in Rotriah North of Rubkona County.

Since eruption of conflict in Sudan on April 15, more than 70,000 returnees and Sudanese refugees have entered into South Sudan.