Returnees from Khartoum live in fear of rape in Rumbek

December 6, 2015 (RUMBEK) – South Sudanese returnees from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, said they have become victims of rapists in Rumbek, Lakes state capital.

The female returnees who returned to the country since early 2011 and stayed in Rumbek have recently complained of high rape cases targeting the returnees in the outskirts of Rumbek town.

for rape and abuses being done to them in Khartoum-Jadid (New Khartoum) area by unknown armed men at night.

The returnees were given a new special residential area, called Khartoum-Jadid, in western part of Rumbek town, located 3 kilometres away from the town.

The residents have however begun to desert their homes and move into Rumbek town center to avoid being raped and physical torture at night by unknown gunmen whom they also accused of looting their priorities.

One of the returnees’ representatives, Bajah, said that all houses without men in Khartoum-Jadid have been deserted because of fear.

“There are men with firearms that rape women and loot property at night. At night the gunmen come and order you to come out in your house and chances to rape you are high,” she said.

She appealed to the state government to quickly deploy police in the area to patrol at night and day. Abajah said that there are no police or security personnel deployed in Khartoum-Jadid which made the situation worse.

“We need police to be deployed in Khartoum-Jadid area,” she urged.

Meanwhile, Lakes state government claimed to have deployed forces in the area, but the community dismissed it as propaganda.

(ST)