Rapid Support Forces commit widespread sexual violence in southern Sudan
- International monitors, including Human Rights Watch, have reported on widespread sexual violence in southern Sudan, particularly in South Kordofan.
- Numerous cases involve women and girls aged seven to 50, experiencing atrocities such as gang rape and sexual slavery.
- This situation underscores the need for urgent international action to protect civilians and deliver justice amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Sudan has been engulfed in a severe humanitarian crisis due to an ongoing conflict that began in April 2023 between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that this conflict has led to widespread sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, in regions such as South Kordofan. The latest HRW report reveals that since September 2023, numerous cases of gang rape and sexual slavery have been documented, affecting victims aged between seven and 50. Many attacks occurred in homes, with some victims experiencing these acts in front of family members. The conditions of captivity for many of the victims are particularly harrowing. Survivors recount being abducted and detained alongside others, where they faced daily sexual violence and beatings for extended periods. Some were even chained, highlighting the brutal reality of their circumstances. The accounts from survivors provide chilling details of how RSF fighters have perpetrated these crimes, often brutally murdering family members who attempted to intervene during the assaults. The alarming rate of sexual violence reported aligns with broader findings from international observers who have indicated that both the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces have committed multiple human rights abuses throughout the conflict, including torture. However, the paramilitary forces, especially the RSF, have been singled out for their particularly egregious acts of sexual violence, which have been characterized as war crimes by various human rights organizations. This situation has attracted the attention of international entities, including the United Nations, which has called for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis and protect civilians. Unlike previous reports, the recent focus by HRW on documenting sexual violence serves as a critical reminder of the widespread atrocities being committed amidst the ongoing conflict. The urgent need for international intervention is highlighted by the continuous pleas from humanitarian agencies and rights organizations seeking help to stop these violations and support the millions affected by the ongoing violence in Sudan.