Nine-year- old Wuyatta Konneh who got paralysed after being allegedly raped by her uncle has died, a local charitable organisation said in statement on Tuesday.
The cause of her death has not been made public, but It’sapparent that the victim died as a result of injuries she suffered when she wasbrutallyrapedat age 5.
The Black Tuesday Movement said in a statement on Tuesday that, the death of Wuyatta was reported on Sunday, January 23, 2022.
“Wuyatta was a brave fighter. In November 2018, founder of the movement, Asmaa James met Wayutta at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre where she had been admitted and was undergoing treatment after her 28-year-old uncle had allegedly brutally raped her, damaging her spine and leaving her paralyzed,” the Organisation said in the statement.
In August 2019, with support from President Julius Maada Bio, and the Government of Sierra Leone and through the Sick Pikin project, Wuyatta was flown to India for further medical treatment. She came back in 2021in a much-improved condition.
When President Bio visited Wuyatta at the Aberden Women Centre in February 2019 before she was flown to India, this was what he said: “I am completely flabbergasted by what I have seen today with the toddler that has been destroyed by an elderly man. This is one of the very reasons why I decided to declare a State of Emergency on rape and Sexual Penetration. These offences have become a culture and we as a nation cannot accept this culture.”
Wuyatta had been living with her mother in Bo for some time now, and it was there she fell ill and ultimately succumbed to death, according to the Black Tuesday Movement.
In December 2018, Wayutta’s story sparked a spontaneous outpouring of grief and ragein Sierra Leone.
The founder of the Movement, Asmaa James said Wayutta’s story resonated with many of them. “The pain she experienced is shared by so many of us,” she said.
“The Black Tuesday Movement will continue to demand justice in Wuyatta’s name. We will continue to stand by the many – too many – survivors in towns and villages across Sierra Leone. We will continue to implore the prosecutors’ office to do all it can to ensure her alleged perpertrator’s case is brought swiftly to conclusion, while fight ng for the broad brush legal reforms to ensure justice for all survivors,” Mrs James said
“Wuyatta’slife was short, but her strength and courage left a lasting impression on many people. May she rest in peace and in power.”
By Alusine Sesay