A tragic incident has occurred in Aweil Town, Northern Bahr El Ghazal state, South Sudan, where a young mother is accused of causing the deaths of her two children. According to state police spokesperson Madut Ngong Aleu, the incident took place on a Saturday evening in the New Site neighbourhood of Aweil Town. The woman allegedly strangled her three-year-old and one-year-old children inside their home, resulting in their deaths.
The police report indicates that the woman had been experiencing difficulties in her relationship with her husband. The couple had been facing marital issues, and the woman had reportedly been deeply affected by the recent death of her firstborn daughter, who died from an unknown illness while staying at the family’s ancestral home in the village. The husband had allegedly blamed her for the child’s death, leading to further tension in their relationship.
The woman’s family is from Warrap State, while her husband is from Aweil South County. The two families had experienced disagreements during marriage negotiations, and an oath had previously been taken between them. This background information suggests that the couple's relationship was strained, and the woman may have been under significant emotional distress.
According to Ngong, the woman said she had been facing repeated accusations from her husband over the death of their firstborn daughter. The husband's accusations had allegedly caused the woman significant emotional distress before the incident. The police are currently detaining the woman, and she is expected to appear before court as investigations continue.
The incident has raised concerns about psychological distress and the limited availability of counselling services in South Sudan, particularly in rural communities. Police spokesperson Ngong appealed to couples and families to avoid abusive language and seek peaceful ways of addressing disagreements. He emphasized that human rights are inalienable and that abusive language can lead to devastating consequences.
The police training program in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, which aims to train 3,000 personnel, may help address some of the underlying issues contributing to such incidents. However, the immediate priority is to provide support to the affected families and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. The community is urged to come together to promote peaceful conflict resolution and to support those struggling with emotional distress.
As the investigation continues, the community is grappling with the aftermath of this tragic incident. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for increased awareness and support for mental health and counselling services in South Sudan.
Key points
- A young mother in Aweil, South Sudan, allegedly strangled her two children to death following a family dispute.
- The incident has raised concerns about psychological distress and the limited availability of counselling services in South Sudan.
- The police are detaining the woman and she is expected to appear before court as investigations continue.
