Mass Rape in North Darfur: Sudanese Army Attacks Against Civilians in Tabit

Strategic Insights -

Witnesses speaking to Radio Dabanga welcomed a human rights report confirming a mass rape by Sudanese soldiers in Tabit, a village in North Darfur, in October 2014. The research team from Human Rights Watch found that 221 women and girls were raped during the attack, including victims under the age of 18. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry dismissed the report's findings, alleging that the claims were an attempt to reproduce a false narrative.

Key Takeaways:

  • 221 women and girls were raped by Sudanese soldiers in Tabit, North Darfur, in October 2014, according to a Human Rights Watch report.
  • The perpetrators were reportedly soldiers from the military garrison close to Tabit, who were given orders to rape women during the attack.
  • The research team from Human Rights Watch spoke to four soldiers who confirmed that they were ordered to rape women, and found no evidence that rebels were present in Tabit during the attack.
  • Yagoub Mohamed Abdallah, general coordinator of the Darfur Displaced and Refugees Association, called on the international community to stand behind the report and bring the perpetrators to justice.
  • Hussein Abu Sharati, a spokesman for the Darfur Displaced and Refugees Association, welcomed the report and expressed willingness to provide additional information to independent and impartial entities.
  • Sheikh Abdal Razeg Mohamad Yousif Suleiman, a member of the leadership of the camps in Darfur, called on the Sudanese people to demonstrate for justice for the victims.
  • Sudan's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Yousef El Kordofani, dismissed the report's findings, alleging that the claims were an attempt to reproduce a false narrative and that the village of Tabit is too small to have experienced such a large-scale rape.

Statistics:

  • 221 women and girls were raped in Tabit, North Darfur, in October 2014.
  • 221 victims were between the ages of 18 and under.
  • The perpetrators were reportedly soldiers from the military garrison close to Tabit.
  • Four soldiers were interviewed by Human Rights Watch, who confirmed that they were ordered to rape women during the attack.
  • Tabit is a small village with a tiny population.
  • The UN-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (Unamid) was initially prevented by Sudanese authorities from probing the claims before finally being allowed to visit the area.

Sources:

  • Radio Dabanga
  • AllAfrica Global Media
  • Human Rights Watch
  • Sudanese Foreign Ministry statement ( via radio Dabanga )
  • UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spokesman Stephane Dujarric's statement ( via radio Dabanga )