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South Sudan says lack of witnesses hampers probe on rape

Xinhua, September 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Sudan on Thursday decried lack of witnesses in the ongoing investigation into allegations of gang rape and the killing of humanitarian workers.

The government-appointed investigating team told journalists in Juba that their work is being hampered by low turn-up of witnesses.

The committee, headed by South Sudan's Deputy Justice Minister Martinson Oturomoi, said they managed to reach some victims in Juba but most foreigners who were involved could not be traced.

Otutomoi said despite the setbacks, investigators are working with diplomatic missions and aid agencies to gather information about the rampage, adding that the priority has been put to protect the identity of victims and witnesses.

South Sudanese troops were accused of gang raping and assault on aid workers in a residential compound popular with foreign aid workers on July 11. The incident left local journalists killed and ransacking of the Terrain Hotel in the capital Juba.

Sudan president Salva Kiir decreed a six-member committee on Aug. 16 to investigate the allegations and report to the government within 21 days.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Aug. 16 also launched an independent investigation into accusations that peacekeepers in South Sudan under the UN mission (UNMISS) failed to respond to the attack. Endit