Address rape victims of South Sudan hotel rampage, US says

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is calling for an independent commission to take testimony from rape victims of a rampage by South Sudanese soldiers at a hotel compound popular with foreigners in July.

Ambassador Samantha Power spoke Saturday as the U.N. Security Council continued a rare visit to the country on the brink of renewed civil war. Fighting that erupted in the capital, Juba, in early July killed hundreds.

In a meeting with South Sudan's Council of Ministers, Power urged the government to hold accountable the soldiers who rampaged through the Terrain compound during the chaos, targeting Americans and raping women.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power speaks to the media in the capital Juba, South Sudan, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016. Samantha Power called Saturday for an independent commission to take testimony from rape victims of a rampage by South Sudanese soldiers at a hotel compound popular with foreigners in July. (AP Photo/Justin Lynch)

An Associated Press investigation found that victims of the Terrain attack also were beaten, subjected to mock executions and forced to watch a local journalist be shot dead.

South Sudan has set up a commission of inquiry into the attack amid concerns about its transparency. Power said many victims of the "ghastly acts" feel frightened to come forward for fear of retaliation.

South Sudan's government said it would look to the African Union for direction on whether to implement accountability measures, a council diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the meeting publicly.

Power also called for accountability for attacks on civilians. Another AP investigation found South Sudanese soldiers raped several local women and girls outside a U.N. camp in July. One assault occurred within sight of U.N. peacekeepers, who did not respond.

Security Council members visited the camp, where tens of thousands of civilians have sheltered from the fighting. Several dozen held a demonstration calling for the deployment of 4,000 peacekeepers approved last month by the council.

South Sudan's government has objected to the force.

"If the force doesn't come, we shall die," said Samuel Gatoonyakuok, 26.