President Salva Kiir (middle), UN Special Representative for Sexual Violence Parmilla Patten (left), Presidential Affairs Minister Marial Benjamin (second right) and Cabinet Minister Martin Elia Lumoro (far right) at the State House J1 on Friday. (Photo: Office of the President | Facebook).

President Salva Kiir has expressed his government’s willingness to cooperate with the United Nations to prevent and eradicate sexual violence in the country.

Kiir reportedly made the remarks while meeting Pramilla Patten, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on sexual violence and conflicts.

The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin said the government has shared with the UN the areas in which they can partner to end sexual violence.

“We are able to share with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General, how the United Nations can work and cooperate to prevent and eradicate the issue of sexual violence in our country,” said Marial while speaking to reporters after the meeting in Juba on Friday.

For her part, Pramila said the global peacekeeping body is ready to contribute towards the prevention and eradication of sexual violence in the country.

“I am very encouraged by the determination of the president to eradicate sexual violence in South Sudan and the expression of his political will to prevent and respond to sexual violence,” she said.

“We have discussed the alarming situation in South Sudan, the rise in the sexual violence and his determination to prevent and work on prevention. He has expressed his intention to cooperate closely with the United Nations.”

The meeting was also attended by the ministers of defense, justice, and cabinet affairs.

In May this year, a report by the UN Mission in the country indicated that cases of sexual violence have risen in 2022 compared to the same period last year.

UNMISS said it documented 63 sexual violence cases from January to March this year – up from 28 compared to the same time last year.