FROM THE FIELD: One South Sudanese woman’s harrowing escape to UN camp

UNMISS/Isaac Billy

A high-level delegation from the United Nations and African Union meets Nyamile Malual Jiech (far right) who walked with her children through violent clashes to reach the safety of the United Nations protection site in Bentiu in the north of South Sudan.

FROM THE FIELD: One South Sudanese woman’s harrowing escape to UN camp

10 October 2018 Human Rights

A South Sudanese woman has been telling a high-level delegation of officials from the African Union and United Nations how she walked for five days and nights to find sanctuary in a UN protection site, from violent clashes.

A delegation of senior officials from the United Nations and African Union is welcomed by dancers in Bentiu in the north of South Sudan on 8 October 2018.

UNMISS/Isaac Billy

Nyamile Malual Jiech told the senior officials that during the journey with her children she had seen three men lining up to rape one woman.

A new peace agreement was signed between warring parties in South Sudan in September in an attempt to bring an end to nearly five years of conflict. But, fighting has continued in some parts of the country.

Nyamile Malual Jiech is now sheltering in a camp for civilians in Bentiu under the protection of the UN peacekeeping mission, UNMISS.