Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing rampant sexual violence against women and girls in southern Sudan. The report details horrific acts, including gang rapes and sexual slavery, highlighting the extensive suffering endured by victims amid the conflict. This report aligns with broader allegations of war crimes in the region, emphasizing the necessity for urgent international intervention to protect civilians and uphold justice.
In a recent report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militias in southern Sudan for committing extensive sexual violence amidst the ongoing conflict with the Sudanese armed forces. Documented cases since September 2023 reveal that women and girls aged between seven and fifty have been subjected to heinous acts, including gang rape and sexual slavery, particularly in South Kordofan state. HRW’s findings coincide with previous allegations made against the RSF and associated Arab militias regarding their violent actions against ethnic Nuba civilians—a situation that has been largely overlooked.
According to HRW, the violence manifests within a broader context, as parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile state are held by the SPLM-N, a rebel faction led by Abdelaziz Al-Hilu. This group did not participate in the government’s 2020 peace agreement, demanding a secular state first. The conflict, which has persisted for over twenty months, has reportedly led to the deaths of tens of thousands and displaced millions. Victims describe traumatic experiences of gang rapes conducted in front of their families, abductions resulting in sexual enslavement, and conditions where captives were chained together.
HRW’s report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international intervention. The organization calls for the United Nations and the African Union to deploy missions aimed at protecting civilians and ensuring justice for those affected. Additionally, Tom Fletcher, the UN humanitarian chief, has denounced the prevailing epidemic of sexual violence, stressing that the international community must improve efforts to address this crisis. The systematic abuses reported not only violate humanitarian laws but also highlight the necessity for proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable populations and hold perpetrators accountable.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, now in its second year, is characterized by violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and various paramilitary groups, notably the RSF. This strife has proliferated into severe human rights violations, with international reports documenting instances of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The HRW report delves into the plight of victims, encompassing a significant demographic of women and girls amid a climate of fear and instability, reflecting broader underlying ethnic and political tensions, particularly concerning the treatment of Nuba civilians by militias. The term “war crimes” is frequently invoked as international observers call for accountability and action against the perpetrators of these atrocities.
In summary, the allegations of widespread sexual violence perpetrated by the RSF and allied militias in Sudan represent a grave violation of human rights amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis. The HRW report sheds light on the urgent need for protective measures for civilians and calls for the international community to take decisive action. The voices of survivors and the documentation of these atrocities highlight the systemic nature of these abuses, underscoring the importance of justice and accountability in the quest for peace in Sudan.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
