Rights Group Accuses Sudan Paramilitary of Widespread Sexual Violence

In Summary

• Human Rights Watch accuses Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of sexual violence, including rape and forced marriage.
• The military also implicated in some incidents; both parties accused of blocking aid and emergency care.
• Calls for a joint UN and African Union mission to protect civilians and prevent further violence.

KHARTOUM, SUDAN- An international rights group has accused a paramilitary group in Sudan of widespread sexual violence against women, including rape, gang rape, and forced and child marriage, amidst the ongoing conflict in the war-torn nation. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported these allegations on Monday, calling for urgent international intervention.

HRW’s deputy Africa director, Laetitia Bader, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “The Rapid Support Forces have raped, gang-raped, and forced into marriage countless women and girls in residential areas in Sudan’s capital.” The group also pointed to the military for a smaller number of such incidents.

The report detailed how both warring factions have hindered survivors’ access to crucial emergency care. It accused the military of “willfully restricting” the delivery of humanitarian supplies to RSF-controlled areas since October last year, while the RSF has reportedly pillaged medical supplies and occupied health facilities. Local responders have also faced sexual violence at the hands of RSF fighters.

The conflict between the Sudanese military and the RSF, which erupted in April last year, has wreaked havoc across the country, particularly in the capital, Khartoum. According to the United Nations, the fighting has resulted in over 14,000 deaths and 33,000 injuries, with the actual numbers likely being higher.

Sudan’s crisis has led to the world’s largest displacement crisis, displacing over 11 million people from their homes. The RSF, originally formed from the Janjaweed militias during the Darfur conflict in the 2000s, has been a key player in the current turmoil. The group's connection to former President Omar al-Bashir, who faces charges of genocide at the International Criminal Court, underscores the deep-rooted issues in Sudan.

HRW’s latest report, released Sunday, documents extensive sexual violence and forced and child marriages in Khartoum and nearby cities, including Omdurman and Bahri. The group classified these acts as “war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Despite the severity of these allegations, neither the RSF nor the military has taken significant measures to prevent such abuses or to investigate them transparently. An RSF spokesman denied the occupation of hospitals but failed to provide evidence of any investigations into the sexual violence allegations.

In light of these findings, HRW has called on the United Nations and the African Union to establish a joint mission to protect civilians in Sudan and prevent further sexual and gender-based violence. “The United Nations and African Union need to mobilize this protection and states should hold to account those responsible for ongoing sexual violence, attacks on local responders, health facilities, and the blocking of aid,” urged Bader.

Over the weekend, clashes were reported in eastern Sudan and in the city of al-Fasher, the military's last stronghold in the Darfur region. The RSF has been laying siege to al-Fasher for months, aiming to take control.

As the conflict continues, international experts have warned that 755,000 people are at risk of famine, and 8.5 million face severe food shortages in the coming months. The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis underscore the urgent need for effective intervention and support for Sudan's beleaguered population.