An international human rights organization has accused a paramilitary group in Sudan of committing sexual violence against women, including rape, gang rape, and forced and child marriages, while also attributing a smaller number of incidents to the military. Human Rights Watch has called for the establishment of a joint mission by the United Nations and the African Union to protect civilians in Sudan, as the conflict between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has continued for more than 15 months without signs of abating.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Rapid Support Forces have been involved in numerous cases of rape, gang rape, and forced marriages of women and girls in residential areas in Sudan’s capital. The group also accused both warring parties of obstructing survivors’ access to critical emergency care. Additionally, it was mentioned that the military has deliberately restricted the delivery of humanitarian supplies to RSF-controlled areas, including medical aid and aid workers, since October of the previous year.
The report released by Human Rights Watch highlighted that the RSF has looted medical supplies and taken over medical facilities. Furthermore, RSF fighters have been reported to commit acts of sexual violence against healthcare providers. The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April last year due to escalating tensions between the military and the RSF, has resulted in the death of over 14,000 individuals and the injury of 33,000 others, according to the U.N. However, activists suggest that the actual figures could be much higher.
The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of over 11 million people, marking it as the world’s largest displacement crisis. The RSF, which originated from Janjaweed militias formed during the Darfur conflict in the 2000s by former President Omar al-Bashir, has been accused of heinous acts during the conflict. The Human Rights Watch report noted widespread sexual violence and forced and child marriages in Greater Khartoum, particularly in Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri.
This organization stated that these actions are considered “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Although most cases were attributed to the Rapid Support Forces, some were also linked to the military, especially during the military’s control of Omdurman earlier this year. The RSF and the military have not responded to requests for comments on the accusations made by Human Rights Watch.
It was emphasized that neither party has taken significant measures to prevent their forces from committing sexual violence or targeting healthcare facilities. Human Rights Watch urged the African Union and the United Nations to work together on deploying a mission to protect civilians in Sudan, with a focus on preventing sexual and gender-based violence. Recent clashes were reported in eastern Sudan and the city of al-Fasher, the military’s final stronghold in Darfur. International experts have raised concerns about the looming famine crisis affecting 755,000 individuals and extreme food shortages faced by 8.5 million people in Sudan.
