Gov’t taking Aweil rape case seriously, will apply ‘unprecedented’ penalties

JUBA – South Sudan’s government on Friday promised to deal with the culprits of 6-year-old girl who was brutally raped and murdered in Aweil town of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State by suspected Sudanese traders without any mercy.

On 3rd May, a 42-year-old suspected trader, Saber Abusom reportedly defied and murdered 6-year-old girl identified as Abuk Lual Lual and dumped her body in pit latrine.

On 5th May, the police arrested three Sudanese traders in connection with raping and killing of Abuk Lual.

The sexual abuse and murder of Abuk led to rampant protests in Awei town as youth in several occasions carried out peaceful demonstrations demanding the suspects to be arraigned in court.

Addressing the media on Friday in Juba after regular cabinet meeting, Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said the government will deal with the culprits who perpetrated this “shameful act” without any mercy.

“This case has never happened before and the government is taking this case seriously. The culprit is a Sudanese but irrespective of being a Sudanese or anybody, the commissioning of such offends by itself is a real crime that does not need any mercy,” Makuei told reporters.

Makuei called the state police to expedite the investigation in order to put the culprit behind bars.

“The investigation should be expedited and the subject should be brought to book and tried accordingly,” Makuei said.

“We call on people who are on rampart on that case to hold up and justice will be done. This unfortunate case and it is a criminal case.”

The government spokesman advised the human rights activists to try this “criminal act” against toddler as isolated case.

“These are the offenses on which sometime the international community, the so call human rights organizations would hold the government responsibly for it meanwhile this is an individual who decided and as such it will b counted as a case of rape committed by government of South Sudan,” he said.