Human Rights Watch Accuses Sudanese Paramilitary of Widespread Sexual Violence

In a stark report released on Monday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group in Sudan, of committing extensive sexual violence against women and girls, including rape, gang rape, and forced marriages. Laetitia Bader, HRW's deputy Africa director, highlighted the alarming prevalence of these acts in residential areas of Sudan's capital, Khartoum, amidst ongoing conflict between the RSF and the military. The organization also noted that a smaller number of incidents were attributed to the military itself. The report calls for urgent action from the United Nations and the African Union to establish a joint mission aimed at protecting civilians, as the conflict has persisted for over 15 months with no resolution in sight. The fighting has led to the world's largest displacement crisis, displacing over 11 million people. HRW emphasized that both warring factions have obstructed survivors' access to essential emergency care and humanitarian aid, with the military accused of deliberately restricting supplies to RSF-controlled areas since October of the previous year. HRW documented numerous cases of sexual violence and forced marriages in Khartoum and surrounding cities, categorizing these acts as "war crimes and crimes against humanity." While the majority of incidents were linked to the RSF, some were also attributed to the military, particularly in areas under its control. The report urged international accountability for those responsible for these atrocities and called for immediate protective measures for affected civilians. As clashes continue in eastern Sudan and the city of al-Fasher, experts warn of an impending famine affecting 755,000 people, with 8.5 million facing extreme food shortages. The situation remains dire as humanitarian needs escalate amid ongoing violence.