Child Abuse Allegations In Southern Sudan
Date: 3rd January 2007

His Excellency Dr Luka Biong Deng, Minister for Presidential Affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan, this morning issued the following press statement:

‘The President of the Government of Southern Sudan, the Government of Southern Sudan as a whole, and indeed the people of Southern Sudan, are extremely concerned about the allegations in this morning’s press concerning the rape and sexual abuse of children in our country by personnel of the United Nations. We are taking immediate steps to investigate the circumstances leading up to the allegations.

The President has asked Her Excellency Mary Kiden Kimbo, GOSS Minister for Gender, Social Welfare and Religious Affairs, to meet urgently with UNMIS and discuss these allegations. We will expect regular reports from the United Nations administration regarding the action they are taking to investigate and resolve this issue. The President will further urge the Southern Sudan Commission for Human Rights to follow up on these allegations.

If any persons are proved to have committed these terrible crimes, the Government of Southern Sudan will take all possible steps to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Any persons with information relating to these allegations are urged to make this information known to the authorities.

I would like to make clear that in the Southern Sudan, our children are our greatest treasure; their rights are well provided for in our Constitution. We fought a long and bitter war to ensure that they have the right to live productive and happy lives, free from exploitation. We will not tolerate their abuse at the very time when they should be enjoying the fruits of peace. Child abusers take note: the Southern Sudan is not a place where you will be allowed to operate.’

Dr Luka Biong Deng
Minister for Presidential Affairs
Government of Southern Sudan
Juba