7th October, 2014
Ongoing sexual violence in the world’s newest nation – South Sudan – will "haunt" the nation for "generations to come" if it is allowed to continue, according to a senior UN official.
Zainab Bangura, the special representative of the secretary-general on sexual violence in conflict, told a press conference that after the outbreak of conflict last December, women, men, girls and boys were subjected to attacks which have included rapes and sexual slavery as well as the mutilation and disgrace of some victims, some of whom died from injuries sustained.
“I have come to South Sudan to demand that all parties of conflict end the raping and the violence,” she was reported as saying during her first visit to the country earlier this week.
A report released earlier this year said civilians were often deliberately targeted in the violence which has beset the country since late last year.
– DAVID ADAMS