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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Florence Miettaux in Juba

Mother of teenage bride in South Sudan comes out of hiding to be with pregnant daughter

A young woman in traditional dress looks serious, surrounded by men in quasi-military uniform.
Athiak Dau Riak during the celebrations for her traditional marriage to Chol Marol Deng in June 2024. Photograph: Florence Miettaux/The Guardian

The mother of an alleged child bride has left a safe house in South Sudan to travel to be with her daughter after discovering the teenager is pregnant.

Deborah Kuir Yach made headlines last year when she opposed a competition for her daughter’s hand in marriage, insisting that her child Athiak Dau Riak was only 14. Fear of reprisals from her husband and family forced her to leave her home in the capital, Juba, and go into hiding.

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