Africa’s leaders must address weaponisation of rape in Sudan’s conflict
Al JazeeraFEB 3
The sexual violence spans nine Sudanese states, with 66 percent of victims being girls and 33 percent boys, while 16 survivors were under age five, demonstrating the widespread nature of these attacks across the country.
The ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between Sudan's military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has displaced over 14 million people and resulted in at least 20,000 deaths, creating conditions that have increased vulnerability to sexual violence.
Survivors face multiple challenges including physical injuries, psychological trauma, unwanted pregnancies, and social stigma, with some victims attempting suicide and others being rejected by their families after becoming pregnant.
The scale of violence affects all communities regardless of affiliation, with limited access to services and social stigma preventing accurate reporting, while both sides of the conflict face accusations of atrocities including sexual violence and forced child marriages.