Soldiers were allowed to rape women as a form of payment for their military service. This was stated in the UN report on the situation in South Sudan.
Reuters reports that, according to the UN document, the government of South Sudan not only did not punish soldiers for such crimes, but also supported them.
The High Commissioner of United Nations for Human Rights, Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad, said that in South Sudan horrible things happen of a violent nature towards women from the military and authorities.
The number of raped women during the last six months increased by 1,300 people. The UN report highlights the murder of the local population and the numerous robberies committed by militias.
In the beginning of 2015, another document was declassified, which referred to crimes of a sexual nature. It referred to the abuse by peacekeepers whilst in hot spots.
The report stated that the military offered women jewellery, clothing, footwear or equipment in exchange for sex services. In 30% of cases, rapes were committed by persons under 18 years of age.
According to the UN, in the period from 2008 to 2013, 480 instances of rape were committed involving militias. The leaders of these countries in these incidents were South Sudan, Congo, Haiti, and Liberia.
The civil war in South Sudan began in 2013. The head of state, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has criticized his former Deputy, Riek Machar, and accused him of planning a coup. As a result of the crisis, more than 2 million people were forced to leave their homes.
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