While the world remains absorbed by the broader Middle East turmoil, Sudan suffers a grave humanitarian crisis that struggles to gain global acknowledgment. The 19-month-old conflict in Sudan has caused over three million people to seek refuge in neighboring countries, with Egypt hosting over 1.2 million Sudanese refugees. Yet, behind these staggering numbers lie untold horrors, recently detailed in a report by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan.
Released on October 29, 2024, the report sheds light on widespread sexual violence committed by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in areas under their control. These acts include gang rapes, abductions, and conditions amounting to sexual slavery, marking a grim chapter in Sudan’s ongoing conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
The Fact-Finding Mission’s Chair, Mohamed Chande Othman, described the documented scale of sexual violence as “staggering,” highlighting the urgent need for protection of vulnerable civilians, particularly women and girls. The report concludes these heinous acts amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, including torture, rape, sexual slavery, and persecution.
The RSF’s reign of terror extends across Greater Khartoum, Darfur, and Gezira States, where sexual violence serves as a tool for intimidation and punishment. Victims, often targeted based on gender and ethnicity, endure horrific abuses, sometimes in front of their families. Men and boys are not spared, facing detention-related sexual violence, including rape and forced nudity.
As Sudan reels under these atrocities, the humanitarian response remains inadequate. The Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan 2024 secured $1.52 billion, just over half of the required $2.7 billion, leaving a significant funding gap. Meanwhile, Egypt’s resources are strained, hosting over a million Sudanese refugees.
Expert Member Joy Ngozi Ezeilo emphasized the need for accountability to break the cycle of violence and impunity. Without expanding the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction and establishing an independent judicial mechanism, perpetrators will continue to wreak havoc.
The report also calls for immediate victim support, stressing the need for medical and legal assistance, which remains scarce due to the conflict’s devastation of medical facilities. Victims face not only physical and psychological trauma but also societal stigma and victim-blaming.
Mona Rishmawi, another Expert Member, advocated for a dedicated victim support and reparations office. “The circumstances make it abundantly clear that victims need urgent support,” she stated, urging for immediate international action.
In response to the escalating violence, the report underscores the need for an independent protection force to safeguard civilians, who currently have nowhere safe to turn in Sudan.
As the international community grapples with multiple crises, Sudan’s plight demands urgent attention and action. The humanitarian and human rights violations cannot remain overshadowed. It is imperative for global actors to mobilize resources, extend legal jurisdiction, and provide comprehensive support to end the suffering and restore hope in Sudan.
