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Human rights

Rampant Sexual Violence in Sudan's Conflict: 70% Attributed to Rapid Support Forces

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a harrowing report marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the United Nations' designated expert on Sudan, Radhouane Nouicer, revealed the alarming magnitude of sexual violence in the ongoing war between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, now in its third year, has seen a staggering number of incidents of conflict-related sexual violence, with over 70% attributed to the RSF. The U.N. Human Rights office documented 368 incidents involving at least 521 victims, with rape being the most common form of violence, often targeting internally displaced women and girls.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.N. Human Rights office has documented 368 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan, involving at least 521 victims as of May 31.
  • Over half of the documented cases were rape, often targeting internally displaced women and girls.
  • The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are responsible for over 70% of the documented incidents of sexual violence.
  • Sexual violence is being used as a tool of fear, reprisal, and intimidation by both sides and their affiliated militias, often based on ethnic origin.
  • The U.N. has documented accounts of rape committed in front of family members, abductions, trafficking for sexual exploitation, and assaults on women activists.
  • Radhouane Nouicer, the U.N.'s designated expert on Sudan, condemned the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and called for perpetrators to be held accountable.

Statistics:

  • 368 documented incidents of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan as of May 31.
  • At least 521 victims involved in the documented incidents.
  • 70% of the documented incidents attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
  • 180 reported cases of rape, this being the most common form of violence.
  • Half of the victims (260) were internally displaced women and girls.

Sources:

  • The statement by Radhouane Nouicer, the U.N.'s designated expert on Sudan, released on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
  • United Nations Human Rights office documentation of 368 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence involving at least 521 victims as of May 31.

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