Human Rights Watch has accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of widespread sexual violence in southern Sudan, detailing cases of gang rape and sexual slavery among women and girls. This report is part of a broader scrutiny of abuses occurring amid the ongoing conflict, now marked as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The UN has also raised alarms regarding these incidents, calling for international action to protect civilians.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has publicly accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), along with their allied militias, of perpetrating extensive sexual violence in southern Sudan amid the ongoing conflict with the national army. The organization’s recent report details numerous incidents since September 2023 involving women and girls, aged seven to fifty, who have faced gang rape and sexual slavery in South Kordofan state. This claim is part of a broader pattern of abuse reported during Sudan’s protracted 20-month civil conflict, characterized as one of the worst humanitarian crises globally by the United States.
The new documentation follows an earlier report by HRW, which highlighted that the RSF and allied Arab militias had committed various abuses largely targeting ethnic Nuba civilians in South Kordofan between December 2023 and March 2024. These incidents, which include systemic attacks on the civilian population, have not received widespread media attention and are classified by HRW as war crimes. The region continues to be a battleground between the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), a rebel group that has resisted government peace initiatives.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, with over eight million people displaced within Sudan and more than three million fleeing to neighboring countries. Victims of these violations often faced sexual assault within their homes or nearby, with harrowing accounts depicting abductions, torture, and acts categorized as sexual slavery. One survivor vividly recounted being gang-raped by six RSF militants during an attack on her family, which culminated in the murder of her husband and son. Another victim described the appalling conditions of captivity, indicating that she and 17 others were raped and beaten daily for three months.
HRW emphasizes the urgent requirement for a concerted international response to protect civilians and ensure justice for these violations. Furthermore, the UN humanitarian chief has raised concerns regarding the escalating rates of sexual violence in Sudan, asserting that global efforts in addressing this crisis must improve. In light of these grave allegations, HRW has called for the deployment of protective missions by the United Nations and the African Union to safeguard the civilian population in Sudan.
The situation in Sudan has reached alarming levels since the eruption of conflict between the paramilitary RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces in April 2023. The ongoing war has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to significant loss of life, displacement, and widespread abuses against civilians. HRW’s reports document serious violations of human rights, particularly focusing on sexual violence as a weapon of war. The SPLM-N’s role in resisting governmental peace efforts and its clashes with both the RSF and the army further complicate the conflict dynamics in the region. The humanitarian landscape has been severely impacted, with millions displaced and facing dire living conditions. The reports serve to highlight the urgent need for international intervention to address the atrocities and protect vulnerable populations, especially women and children, who are increasingly targeted in these conflicts.
In summary, the accusations levied by Human Rights Watch against the RSF and affiliated militias underscore a disturbing trend of sexual violence during the protracted conflict in Sudan. The documented cases reveal a systematic approach to these heinous acts, which not only violate human rights but also constitute war crimes. The global community is called upon to respond urgently to the escalating crisis, with the health and safety of countless civilians hanging in the balance. An effective international response will be essential in combating these atrocities and facilitating justice for the victims.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
