Amnesty International has released a report, “They Raped All of Us,” presenting alarming accounts of gender-based and sexual violence committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. This disturbing revelation has raised significant international concern, highlighting alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity amidst the ongoing Sudan civil war. The report, which can be accessed here, details testimonies of violence against 30 women and girls from mid-April 2023 to October 2024.
The RSF, with its allegations denied, has allegedly used sexual violence as a weapon, aiming to control, humiliate, and punish women in affected areas. Reported acts include rape, gang rape, sexual exploitation, abduction, and forced marriage, unfolding during attacks on towns and villages in regions such as Darfur and Greater Khartoum. Survivors, some as young as 15, face enduring physical and psychological scars while seeking access to care and justice, which appear to be severely impeded.
The grim statistics highlight that more than 12 million women and girls remain vulnerable to such violence, according to UN Women. They underscore the systematic use of gender-based violence amid Sudan’s socio-political chaos. Additionally, the compounded crisis includes limited access to essential needs, education disruptions, food shortages, and healthcare collapses, further exacerbating the victims’ plight.
This crisis stems from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF, launching a war that the UN describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies (see UN report). This conflict has led to large-scale displacement and exacerbated vulnerabilities in Sudanese society. The international community, led by organizations like UNICEF and Human Rights Watch, is increasingly vocal in calling for accountability and justice to address these atrocities.
The pervasive impact of this ongoing conflict on women and girls in Sudan demands urgent and concerted international intervention to mitigate the crisis and ensure justice for the victims.
The full detailed report and its implications for international law and human rights can be further explored in the full article by JURIST here.