UN envoy says S. Sudan at “crossroads” on sexual violence fight
October 20, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan is currently at “crossroads” in the fight to combat sexual violence, which can only be halted through greater political and legal efforts, a United Nations envoy said.
“It can turn back from sexual violence and reject its use as a political tool and weapon of war or it can continue on a road whose only destination is revenge and the decimation of a whole country’s hopes for a better future”, she added.
Bangura was recently in the young nation, where she held talks with president Salva Kiir in Juba and rebel leader Riek Machar in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She also met government officials, civil society groups, media representatives and women groups in the country.
Addressing a press conference at UN headquarters in New York on Monday, Bangura deplored the horrible conditions she witnessed in South Sudan’s Unity state capital Bentiu, where hundreds of civilians were reportedly massacred in April this year and many more raped.
According to reports, incidents of sexual violence in Bentiu included rape, gang rape, forced abortion and sexual harassment allegedly committed by members of South Sudan army (SPLA), the police service and more recently, the Justice and Equity Movement (JEM) among their ranks, as they exchanged control over the oil-rich town.
The fighter allegedly used the local radio station, Radio Bentiu FM, to broadcast hate speech calling on men to commit sexual violence against women and girls based on their ethnicity and assumed political affiliations.
Bangura said the majority of those who suffered from these sexual attacks were young, with one treated victim only two years old.
“It is not just about rape,” said the senior official on sexual violence issues, adding “It is to inflict unimaginable pain and destruction.”
A joint communiqué was signed between the UN and South Sudan government in which the latter outlined clear steps it would take to prevent and address sexual violence crimes, including issuing and enforcing clear orders through the army chain of command prohibiting sexual violence; provisions to ensure medical, psychosocial and legal assistance to victims; security and justice sector reform; and ensuring that sexual violence crimes are addressed explicitly in the peace process.
“If a state cannot respect women during times of peace, it cannot protect them during conflict,” said Bangura, adding “widespread sexual violence sows the seeds for the poisoned fruits of reprisal.”
Up to 24,000 women, the UN says, are now at risk of sexual violence in South Sudan, with many women exposed after fleeing into the bush to escape soldiers and rebels.
(ST).