A dozen United Nations experts have condemned the pervasive and, in some instances, ethnically motivated sexual violence occurring in conflict-ridden Sudan, describing it as “a tool of war.” The experts, including those focused on violence against women and girls, as well as sexual exploitation and abuse of children, issued a joint statement demanding accountability for perpetrators.
The conflict, which has been ongoing since April, involves forces loyal to Sudan’s de facto head of state, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in a war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The violence has resulted in a conservative estimate of over 10,000 deaths and forced 6.3 million people to flee their homes, according to the Armed Conflict and Event Data Project.
Expressing their dismay, the UN experts highlighted reports of widespread gender-based violence, including sexual violence, used as a tactic to subjugate, terrorize, and punish women and girls. They pointed to RSF forces and their allies as the primary perpetrators of sexual violence in the conflict, citing instances of rape, sexual exploitation, slavery, and trafficking, some of which may have been racially, ethnically, or politically motivated.
The experts also noted disturbing reports of forced prostitution, forced marriage of women and girls, and the use of violence as a means to punish specific communities targeted by the RSF and allied militias. The atrocities, initially concentrated in Khartoum and Darfur, have now spread to other parts of the country, such as Kordofan, the experts warned.
Calling for urgent action, the UN experts urged a thorough investigation by the newly established UN fact-finding mission for Sudan to ensure accountability for the perpetrators. They emphasized that the scale and severity of the sexual violence are significantly underreported and implored the international community not to turn a blind eye to the unfolding atrocities. The experts stressed the need for a strong and clear message to be sent to the conflicting parties, emphasizing accountability for their actions and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
By AFP
