By Matik Kueth
A quiet journey home turned into a nightmare for a 16-year-old girl in Mayom County, Unity State.
Nyekoang Phan, not her real name, was allegedly raped by a group of armed men while returning home from Mayom town to her village in Bong Boma, Kuerbona Payam.
Nyekoang said she was going to town to buy shoes, never imagining that her journey would turn into a nightmare.
“They stopped me on the road when I was walking on my way to Pibor. At first, they didn’t all show up; only one person with no gun beckoned me. When I stopped, others started appearing and pointed guns at me. They were 6 in number; four of them took turns raping me. Two refused, I was so terrified,” Nyekoang said.
She explained that the experience has left her deeply distressed and fearful.
“I thought they were going to kill me. I kept begging them to let me go, but they wouldn’t listen. I was helpless and alone. I didn’t know if I would survive. Even after they left, I couldn’t even move. I had to drag myself to the roadside and that’s where an old man found me and rushed me to Mayom,” she explained.
The young girl was found by an elderly man in the bushes of Bong village, visibly injured, lying on the ground, bleeding.
He immediately took her to Mayom Clinic Hospital, where she spent four days under medical care.
Gatwich Matai, a medical doctor working at Mayom County Hospital, narrated the moment Nyakoang was brought in.
“She was brought in by an elderly man who saw her while on his way to Mayom from Bong. She is receiving treatment for injuries. Our priority now is her physical and mental recovery. She is stable, but the emotional scars run deep. She will be fine, she’s strong,” he stressed.
Nyakoang’s mother expressed shock and pain, but also worried if the perpetrators would be apprehended to face justice.
Local authorities said they are actively investigating the incident.
Maj. Makong Bol, Mayom County Police Director, confirmed that soldiers are pursuing leads, though the suspects are still in hiding.
“The men were described as heading toward Chiengbol Both Cattle Camp in Koak village. We are following all leads to bring them to justice. Sexual violence is a serious crime, and we urge anyone with information to come forward. We are committed to ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable,” he said.
He said sexual violence remains a rising concern in the area, with 12 rape cases reported in January, February, and March this year.
“Sexual harassment has been a serious issue, especially in January, February, and March. We have recorded 12 cases just within three months. Last year, we registered only 38 rape cases. The issue here is that the girls coming from cattle camps to buy items or sell milk are always vulnerable. They are lured by the armed youth and some men in town into sex. So, it’s really a challenge,” he stated.
The police director also underlines that 38 cases of sexual violence were recorded last year in Mayom, noting the persistent challenge in conflict-affected parts of South Sudan, where survivors frequently face isolation and vulnerability.
He further noted that they are increasing patrols along roads frequently used in the area and are working with chiefs, youth leaders, and communities to raise awareness and encourage reporting of sexual violence cases.
Phan’s story reflects the dangers many women and girls continue to face in insecure and remote parts of South Sudan, where protection and access to justice remain limited.