KUAJOK – The police in Warrap State of South Sudan detained a 20-year-old woman on Thursday in connection with abortion-related offenses in Twic County.
The young woman reportedly underwent an abortion of a 5-month-old fetus in Turlalei Payam on Tuesday this week.
In an interview with Sudans Post on Thursday, Captain Manyok Riing Atem, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, said the incident surprised the community, as the woman appeared to be young and chose to terminate the pregnancy.
“What occurred on Tuesday was shocking indeed; the dogs removed the head of the child as they preyed on the fetus, and all we did was to ensure that the baby was buried first,” said Manyok.
Captain Atem said that they were informed by the residents, and when they went to the location, they discovered the baby in a polythene bag.
“The woman was also found within Turalei Town, and some women helped us in identifying her till we got her, and she is now in police custody as investigations continue,” he said.
Atem urged parents to discuss with their daughters the importance of avoiding nighttimeoutings to concerts or local areas where casual relationships may occur.
He added that unintended pregnancies can sometimes result from multiple sexual partners.
He disclosed that these cases are common in the communities and that parents need to take further action.
He said such cases are rampant in the communities, and the parents need to do more.
Under the Penal Code of South Sudan, 2008, abortion is a criminal offense unless “done in good faith for the purpose of saving the life of the mother.”
Under Article 216 of the penal code, receiving an abortion is punishable by a fine and a prison sentence of up to seven years, which is decreased to three years if “committed by an unmarried pregnant woman in order to avoid shame.
The same article punishes providers with a fine and a prison sentence of up to three years.
The maximum sentence is increased to ten years in cases of forced abortion or abortion resulting in death, according to Articles 217 and 218, respectively.
Article 219 says that unintentionally causing a miscarriage by using force against a woman known to be pregnant is punishable by a fine and up to five years.
