A UN report released on February 15 revealed that sexual violence and rape crimes against women and girls not more than 8 years continue unabated in South Sudan’s northern region. This happens despite the peace agreement signed back in September 2018, the UN report said, noting that the majority of perpetrators are youth militia elements of the pro-Taban Deng, the first deputy president. According to a report by OHCHR and UNMISS, around 175 cases of rape were committed by gangs dressed in security forces uniform between September and December 2018. On the other hand, Doctors Without Borders said this past November it treated 125 women and girls that have been gang raped over a period of 10 days. On the subject, OHCHR Michelle Bachelet warned in a statement that rape and gang rape in the Unity province has continued since the beginning of this year, as assailants likely believe they commit the crimes with impunity and can get away with them. A senior government official in capital of South Sudan, Juba, described the UN report as unrealistic and accused NGOs of manipulating for fundraising. (Al Diyar, February 16, 2019)