The eyes of 18-year-old Akuot Agany Kut were gouged by her father over alleged forced marriage. | Photo: Courtesy.

Some South Sudanese inside and outside the country have reacted to the eye-piercing incident in Tonj East County, Warrap State.

This comes after an 18-year-old girl’s eyes were pierced by her father in Tonj East of Warrap State last week.

The suspect Angelo Agany is currently detained in Wau town of Western Bahr el Ghazal state.

The victim, Akuot Agany Kur was flown to Juba Wednesday, April 12, 2023, after a businesswoman offered to pay for her treatment.

Dr. Peter Biar Ajak, a South Sudanese political activist based in the US has described the pricking of a Warrap girl’s eyes as the most shocking outrage.

He says he watched the victim’s narration in a video shared on social media.

Dr. Biar wondered why a policeman would commit such an act.

“This story is the most shocking outrage, I have never really, ever thought of any South Sudanese person much less, someone who is a policeman, a medical Doctor who called himself a Christian would be capable of destructing so much harm to another living thing,” said Dr. Biar.

“My studying of the level of living things because to imagine the reeve  outrage of the injustice committed almost look from that level .”

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Women Lawyers have added their voice in condemnation of the piercing of the teen’s eyes by the father.

In a statement seen by Eye Radio, the Federation of Women Lawyers in South Sudan called for coordinated humanitarian and psychological support for the victim.

Sarah Enock, a businesswoman called on the government to strengthen the rule of law to protect women and girls in the country.

She airlifted the victim to Juba today where she is currently being treated at an Egyptian eye clinic.

According to her, there is a need for the government to enforce the laws protecting women and girls in the country.

“Through this media platform am sending my message to His Excellency President Salva Kiir and his government and all government institutions to activate these laws, because these laws that we have are only written there but are not active,” said Sarah.

“I wish you Mr. President to activate these laws and prosecute those who are doing such kinds of crimes because those are your sons and daughters,

“We want a free and healthy society from crimes, we want a society where you send your child to the shop and will return ok without any issue. We are not going to keep silent as mothers,

“We need to make efforts for us to have activated laws, laws that can protect us and our kids and laws to be deterrent.”

For his part, Reverand Isaac Matur Bol Yuol of the Episcopal Diocese of Pacong, eastern Bhar el-Ghazal Internal Province condemned the incident.

“Having seen the picture of a young girl whose eyes were gouged off by her father, I, Reverand Isaac Matur Bol Yuol of the Episcopal Diocese of Pacong, Eastern Bhar el-ghazal Internal Province condemned the incident in the strongest term,” Rev. Matur state in a statement sent to Eye Radio newsroom.

“Such an inhuman act is a total violation of divine creation order as well as violation of human and child right stipulated in our constitution. I, therefore, called on the government of South Sudan to provide justice for Akuot accordingly.”

Rev. Matur called on the Dinka community in particular to revisit the dowry in marriage.

“It was once a cultural pride but had now become a culture of evil against women. It subjects women to suffering in different capacities. Thus, the Dinka community must think twice about the issue of dowry,” said Rev. Matur.

The suspect Angelo Agany was arrested by Tonj East County authorities last week and has been transferred to Wau main prison, pending a court trial.