The civil war in Sudan has been raging for 18 months, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced, along with catastrophic famine and diseases. Despite being one of the worst crises in the world, global attention remains focused on conflicts in the Middle East, leading to Sudan being forgotten. A new report from the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission exposes rampant sexual violence by militias in Sudan, with both the Sudanese Armed Forces and their former paramilitary allies accused of these abuses.
The report details how women and girls in Sudan are being abducted for sexual slavery, with the RSF being implicated in the majority of cases. Shockingly, men and boys have also been subjected to rape and gang-rape. The lack of medical services in the country further exacerbates the crisis, with most hospitals and clinics destroyed, leaving victims without necessary medical treatment. The chair of the fact-finding mission has described the scale of sexual violence in Sudan as staggering and urgently requiring attention.
Human rights groups have raised alarm over the abuses experienced by women in Sudan, with reports indicating that the atrocities they face are leading some to take their own lives in response to the brutalities or to escape them entirely. The civil war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the powerful RSF paramilitary group, resulting in intense clashes that have claimed the lives of over 100 people. The RSF has been accused of shooting civilians, sexually abusing women and girls, and looting properties.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the situation in Sudan as a nightmare of violence, with almost 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite the urgent need for foreign aid, only half of the UN’s $2.7 billion humanitarian appeal for Sudan has been funded. The country is facing the worst famine in forty years but remains largely overlooked, overshadowed by conflicts in the Middle East. As Sudan teeters on the brink of collapse, the lack of international attention and support threatens to worsen the already dire situation for millions of people in the country.
In conclusion, the situation in Sudan is a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions, with widespread sexual violence and human rights abuses being perpetrated by militias in the midst of a brutal civil war. The lack of medical services and insufficient foreign aid further compound the suffering of millions of Sudanese people. Urgent action is needed to address the crisis and prevent further loss of life and devastation in the country. The global community must not forget the people of Sudan and must provide the necessary support and resources to alleviate their suffering and bring an end to the conflict.
