Human Rights Watch accuses Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces of widespread sexual violence in ongoing conflict

KHARTOUM — Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused both the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing extensive acts of sexual violence amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan. In a recent report, the organization highlighted the severe human rights violations occurring in the capital, Khartoum, since the conflict’s onset.

The report, based on testimonies from 42 field workers, documented 262 cases of sexual violence in Khartoum from the war’s beginning in April last year until February this year. Victims primarily included women and girls subjected to rape, with four women succumbing to their injuries, as noted by healthcare workers.

The conflict, now lasting over 15 months, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people and extensive destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals and health centers. The ongoing violence between the Sudanese Army and the RSF has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leaving civilians in dire conditions.