AU urges more efforts to combat sexual violence in South Sudan

The African Union (AU) on Wednesday called for increased efforts to tackle sexual and gender-based violence in war-torn South Sudan by ensuring accountability, justice and reparation for victims.

Bineta Diop, AU Commission Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, told reporters in Juba, capital of South Sudan, that South Sudanese women still encounter rape, land grabbing and insecurity.

"If there is political will to make sure that those perpetrating violence are brought to justice, I think the women can see some light," Diop said.

Diop is leading a team of women's rights experts from the AU Commission for a four-day visit to South Sudan in a bid to spearhead an initiative aimed at restoring dignity of South Sudanese women, who are experiencing violence.

The AU delegation will meet government officials, women leaders and displaced people to assess the human rights situation.

Diop urged South Sudanese leaders to provide opportunities and responsibilities for women in the country, which has been ravaged by three years of fighting.

"It is time for us to restore peace in this country and particularly we restore women's dignity in South Sudan for them to see justice, see security around them ," she added.

An independent UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said last week that sexual violence had reached alarming proportions in South Sudan.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and 2.4 million others displaced since South Sudan's civil war began in December 2013.

A peace agreement signed in August 2015 under UN pressure has failed to hold as fresh fighting between government troops led by President Salva Kiir and opposition forces loyal to former First Vice President Riek Machar erupted in July. Endit