JINHA

NEWS CENTER - In the wake of a UN report detailing widespread rape by South Sudanese government troops, the government has claimed incidents were isolated.

South Sudan became independent four years ago, but 18 months ago a civil war began between government forces and Riek Machar, who the government alleged had planned a coup. More than one million people have been displaced by the war.

The UN has released a report based on 115 eyewitness accounts. The report describes the group rape and burning to death of girls by government forces. Alongside nine separate incidents of girls being raped and burned to death, the report also details soldiers' rape of women in front of their children. The report includes reports of the rape of at least 172 women and girls.

Philip Aguer, a spokesperson for the South Sudanese government forces, has called the events isolated and perpetrated by individuals.

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