The 18-month civil war in Sudan has resulted in tens of thousands killed and millions displaced, leading to catastrophic famine and disease. Despite the severity of the crisis, global attention remains focused on conflicts in the Middle East, leaving the African nation seemingly forgotten. A recent 80-page report from the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan highlights the rampant sexual violence being perpetrated by militias in the country, with both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces accused of engaging in such abuses. The report details how women and girls are being abducted for sexual slavery, with the RSF identified as being behind the majority of cases.
The lack of medical services further exacerbates the situation in Sudan, with most hospitals and clinics destroyed, leaving victims without necessary care. The scale of sexual violence documented in the country is described as staggering by the mission chair, Mohamed Chande Othman, who emphasizes the urgent need to address the alarming state of affairs. Human rights groups have raised concerns over the abuses women are enduring, noting that sexual violence is prompting some to take their own lives in response to the brutalities they have experienced or to escape further abuse.
The conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023 due to a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary RSF group, resulting in intense clashes that have left over 100 people dead. The RSF has been accused of shooting civilians, sexually abusing women and girls, and looting properties in east-central Sudan. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has described the situation in Sudan as a “nightmare of violence,” with almost 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance as the suffering continues to grow.
As Sudan teeters on the brink of collapse, foreign aid remains insufficient, with only half of the U.N.’s $2.7 billion humanitarian appeal for the country being funded. Despite facing the worst famine in forty years, Sudan is overshadowed by conflicts in the Middle East and remains forgotten by the global community. The dire situation in the country necessitates urgent action to address the widespread human rights abuses and provide essential aid to those suffering from the devastating impact of the ongoing civil war.
