Date published: 02/11/2024 – 11:20

2 minutes

Report released this week by UN Independent International Fact Finding MissionIt reveals the alarming scale of sexual violence affecting Sudan’s 18-month conflict.

Kidnappings for sexual slavery are reportedly becoming more common, with victims ranging from eight-year-old girls to elderly women.

“There is no longer a safe place in Sudan,” said the head of the mission, Mohamed Chande Othman, underscoring the widespread insecurity that has gripped the country since the conflict broke out in April 2023.

The Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, is locked in a fierce fight against ISIS. RSFIt is commanded by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

Violence created one of the world’s worst events humanitarian crisesMore than 25 million people (more than half of Sudan’s population) face acute hunger.

War crimes and atrocities

The UN investigation accuses both the Sudanese Army and the RSF of gross human rights violations, including acts that qualify as war crimes.

While both groups have been accused of torture and obstruction of humanitarian aid, the RSF is mainly responsible for the documented cases. sexual violence.

The allegations include gang rape, sexual slavery and the recruitment of children using brutal methods such as firearms, knives and whips.

Some attacks reportedly took place in front of the victims’ families; This underscores the violence’s aim to terrorize civilians and crush dissent.

Othman, a former Tanzanian chief judgeThe scale of violence was called “staggering”, particularly highlighting the systematic use of terrorism in Darfur.

Millions of people were displaced

UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned this week that violence was worsening in eastern Al Jazeera province risks more cruelty.

Turk’s office documented at least 25 cases of sexual violence during RSF raids on villages south of Khartoum, including the death of an 11-year-old girl and the abduction of women and girls.

The UN Organization for Migration reports that more than 11 million people are now internally displaced, while another three million have fled to neighboring countries.

The agency’s president, Amy Pope, called the situation “a disaster” and most neglected He added that global funding shortages were hindering aid efforts.