A 14-year-old girl in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, is at the center of a legal and familial dispute after she accused a 45-year-old relative of repeatedly raping her over three years, a case her guardian says is being undermined by bribery and manipulation of the legal system.
The alleged survivor, whose identity is being withheld because of her age and the nature of the offence, was brought to Juba from Twic County in Warrap State in 2021 by her cousin, Julia Nyayur Kuanyin. Julia said she brought the girl, then 10, to the capital to live with her and attend school, following a Dinka cultural tradition in which a married woman is sometimes accompanied by a younger female relative.
They lived in Juba’s Miya Saba neighborhood in a house belonging to Cyer Angok Cyerdit, a 45-year-old relative of Julia’s husband.
“I brought her from the village to Juba to take her to school,” Julia told Radio Tamazuj. “Cyer offered to support me with the girl’s education by paying school fees because we are a family. The girl’s father was informed about this support.”
The situation turned violent later that year when the girl was 11. Julia alleges that one day when she was away, Cyer called the girl after she returned from school, sent her on an errand, and then raped her.
“He later forced the girl and raped her in the room, and after the rape, he threatened the little girl not to tell anyone,” Julia said.
According to Julia, the rapes continued for three years. Cyer allegedly returned to the house when Julia was at work to assault the minor.
“Whenever I left for work in the morning, this man called Cyer returned home during the day to rape the minor girl, and this continued for three years,” Julia stated. She said the girl, traumatised and under threat, did not initially report the assaults and instead complained of illnesses such as malaria.
The pattern of abuse came to light only after Julia, who was pregnant and staying at home more frequently, began to observe Cyer’s behaviour and confronted him. This led to a disagreement, and Julia was expelled from the house. After this, on Sept. 29, 2024, the girl revealed the years of sexual violence.
“The last time, Cyer beat the girl in the room, which is why the girl decided to speak out,” Julia said.
A case was opened with police in the Munuki area on Oct. 20, under case number 4718. Cyer was arrested, and the case was initially investigated under Article 247 of South Sudan’s 2008 Penal Code, which defines rape and specifies that consent from a person under 18 is invalid.
However, Julia and the girl’s lawyer allege that the case has been deliberately sabotaged.
“The case under Article 247 has now been changed. I think he has been paying money or bribing those in charge of law enforcement,” Julia asserted.
Yasmin Ahmed Khamis Yurur, a human rights defender and lawyer for the girl, confirmed the change in the legal statute.
“The prosecutor did not deny the evidence. Why? Because he changed the Penal Code from Article 247 to Article 264,” Yurur said.
She explained that while Article 247 criminalises rape and sexual intercourse with a minor, Article 264 deals with a scenario where a man lives with a woman “as if” they are married.
“When the article is changed to Article 264, it is as if the offender is living with the victim as if she is his wife,” Yurur stated. “This article allows the accused to use the rape or sexual intercourse to force the other party to agree to their marriage.”
Following this change, Cyer was released on bail. Julia alleges that he then approached the girl’s father with a marriage proposal, offering 100 cows as a bride price. She also claims the girl’s birth records were altered to change her birth year from 2011 to 2008, making her appear 17 instead of 14.
“The father wants money, and this guy called Cyer gives money to the father of the girl,” Julia said. “The little girl, who has suffered from rape for three years by Cyer, rejects this arrangement of marriage.”
The girl’s refusal has reportedly led to violence from her own family. Julia said the girl’s brother beat her for refusing the marriage, and the girl has since been taken from Julia’s care and given to another relative.
“The brother of the girl also came yesterday and beat the girl for refusing the marriage, but the girl refused, saying, ‘This man did bad things to me, raping me, so I don’t want him,'” Julia recounted.
Yurur condemned the handling of the case and the pressure on the victim.
“The phenomenon of rape in South Sudan is much more common… but no one is talking openly about it,” she said. “Until we apply the law… children are now being saved with Article 247. And despite that, there are still violations.”
Yurur’s organisation has filed a complaint against the girl’s father for his role in facilitating the accused.
Article 15 of the South Sudanese constitution guarantees the right to form a family, while Article 17 guarantees women and girls the right to consent to marriage. The constitution also defines a child as anyone under 18 and mandates that their best interests be protected.
Julia said she would continue to fight for justice. “I want the law to take its course and ensure Cyer faces the law for the crime he has committed against the minor girl.”
The accused, Cyer Angok Cyerdit, could not be reached for comment