Assault Inside Police Station
Reports from Juba indicate that defense lawyer Josephine Ahel Deng was beaten by eight men at the Northern Division Police Station after giving a statement in a contentious forced-marriage case (Standard Zone News).
The assailants allegedly cited orders from former Warrap governor Gen. Manhiem Bol Malek, though this claim remains unverified, and police officers present reportedly failed to intervene.
The Girl at the Center
The dispute dates back to 2022, when a 14-year-old girl fled an arranged marriage and sought refuge to continue schooling under Deng’s guardianship.
Family members allegedly renewed dowry negotiations in 2025, offering cattle and a vehicle. The girl was twice removed from school, escaped, and is now under Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare protection.
Legal Framework and Enforcement Gaps
South Sudanese law guarantees free consent in marriage, the Child Act bars unions under 18, and the National Action Plan targets early marriage elimination.
Activist Edmund Yakani argues that weak enforcement allows custom and influence to override statutes, warning that unchecked abuses could undermine international commitments against forced marriage.
Calls for Responsible Leadership
Yakani labels the assault a blatant abuse of authority and urges national leaders to guarantee safety for lawyers and children alike.
Deng, recovering from her injuries, vows to continue representing her client, stating, ‘No threat will weaken my resolve to defend her right to education.’
Meanwhile, efforts to contact Gen. Malek remain unsuccessful, and observers stress impartial investigations to preserve public confidence in the justice system.