The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has condemned a series of brutal sexual attacks on women and girls travelling from their villages to the town of Bentiu in the Unity region of South Sudan.

The residents of Yei woke to an early morning colourful procession of boda boda motorcyclists wearing bright reflective jackets and safety helmets, carrying only female passengers in a symbolic gesture of their united efforts to end sexual violence against women and girls.

Businessman Angelo Geng spent two weeks stuck on the road between the towns of Bentiu and Ajak Kuach after his car became bogged down in mud caused by heavy downpours during the rainy season.

“I was stranded because of the road conditions and no-one came to our rescue,” he said.