South Sudan soldiers convicted of raping aid workers

[Blackfire]

 

A military court in South Sudan has convicted 10 soldiers of raping foreign aid workers and murdering a local journalist.

The crimes were committed during a rampage in the Terrain Hotel in the capital, Juba, in 2016.

UN peacekeepers who were nearby were accused of failing to respond to pleas for help.

The judgment was delivered in a military courtroom packed with diplomats, aid workers and officials.

One accused soldier was acquitted. Another died in detention of natural causes.

The attack took place during heavy fighting in Juba between government and rebel forces.

More than 70 people, including two UN peacekeepers were killed in three days of fighting.

A UN report into the hotel attack accused UN peacekeepers of failing in their duty to protect civilians