NAN – UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, on Friday, Ms Zainab Bengura, has expressed the world body’s readiness to investigate an alleged mass rape of 200 women and girls in Darfur.
Notice of the investigation was contained in a statement by Bengura in New York.
She said the act took place in a town in the North region of Darfur and urged the government of Sudan to “allow immediate and unhindered access for an investigation.’’
The envoy said the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur should also be given access by the government of Sudan.
Bengura believed that this would enable the UN to investigate and verify whether the incidents reported in the town of Tabit occurred and if they did, there was the need to ensure accountability.
She called on humanitarian actors to ensure “appropriate services’’ for survivors.
“It is critical that in the process of verifying the facts, the safety of survivors is of paramount concern,’’ the envoy stated.
She reaffirmed the support of the UN to Sudanese authorities to address any incidents of conflict-related sexual violence in a comprehensive manner.
Bangura said her office was ready to cooperate with UNAMID, in line with the UN-backed African Union Framework of Cooperation on Prevention of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Africa.
