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UN Mission: Sudan Sinks into Unprecedented Wave of Sexual Violence
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Documented evidence of sexual violence in Sudan indicates a systematic strategy aimed at destroying the social fabric and humiliating local communities
The UN fact-finding mission in Sudan revealed a "horrific" scale of sexual violence in the country, confirming that rape crimes have become a "generalized" phenomenon after 18 months of civil war.
Mission head Mohamed Chande Othman expressed shock at the scope of documented violations, emphasizing that the situation of civilians, especially women and girls, now requires urgent intervention.
The report highlighted the Rapid Support Forces' involvement in the vast majority of documented sexual violence cases, along with their allies the Janjaweed militia in Darfur, with similar cases recorded for army elements.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk confirmed escalating risks of atrocities in Gezira state south of Khartoum, with more cases of sexual violence being documented.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Sudanese suffering is worsening daily, with 25 million people needing humanitarian assistance, describing the situation as an ongoing "nightmare" of violence and hunger.
The UN mission documented women and girls being subjected to kidnapping and sexual slavery, and recorded rape cases targeting men and boys, confirming there is no safe place in Sudan.
The war has displaced more than 14 million people, including 3 million who fled to neighboring countries, according to UNHCR, while IOM described this war's toll as "particularly horrific."
Mission member Joy Ngozi Ezeilo called for ending impunity and holding perpetrators accountable, urging urgent protection for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
Investigators also called for expanding the arms embargo imposed on Darfur to include all of Sudan, demanding authorities cooperate with the International Criminal Court and surrender former President Omar al-Bashir.
Levant-Agencies
