SEXUAL violence – against women and men – has become widespread in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, amid the ongoing civil war, according to a report from Human Rights Watch. The report alleges that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been accused of committing numerous acts of sexual violence, including gang rape and forced marriages. While some attacks have also been attributed to the Sudanese army, the RSF is reported to be the primary perpetrator.
Reuters reports that women and girls have been held in conditions potentially amounting to sexual slavery, with assaults sometimes occurring in front of victims’ families. The article cites accounts from residents living under RSF control, describing a constant state of fear and the need for self-defence measures.
The report also mentions that survivors seeking to terminate pregnancies resulting from rape have faced significant obstacles. Additionally, men and boys have also been subjected to sexual assault.
According to Reuters, the conflict has exacerbated ethnically motivated violence, particularly in the Darfur region, where the RSF and allied militias are accused of targeting the Masalit ethnic group. The article also highlights the targeting of women from specific ethnic groups in Khartoum and Omdurman.
The news agency reports that even female volunteers providing emergency services have become targets, with instances of detention and rape. Reuters adds that cases of sexual violence reportedly increased after the army took control of Omdurman in early 2024.
