Devastating Impact of Conflict on Khartoum Residents
In a harrowing account of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, a major report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed widespread sexual violence against women and girls in the capital, Khartoum, perpetrated by the warring factions, particularly the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, which began in April 2023, has left vast areas of the city in ruins and has resulted in the suffering of countless civilians.
Shocking Reports of Rape and Forced Marriages
The HRW report, titled “Khartoum is Not Safe for Women,” documents numerous cases of rape, gang rape, forced marriages, and sexual slavery. One woman was raped along with her four daughters while her husband and sons were forced to watch. Another woman, pregnant from rape, was thrown out of her home by her husband and separated from her children. The report highlights the terror experienced by women and girls in residential areas, with many feeling that nowhere is safe.
Widespread Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis
The United Nations has described the situation in Sudan as “one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory.” Over 6 million Sudanese are internally displaced, 1.5 million have sought safety abroad, and nearly 26 million people – more than half of the population – are at risk of famine. The conflict has not only devastated Khartoum but has also spread to other parts of the country, including the western Darfur region.
Healthcare System Strained by Violence
Due to the difficulty in accessing Khartoum and speaking directly to survivors, HRW interviewed 42 healthcare providers, social workers, and other responders between September 2023 and February 2024. These interviews revealed the immense physical, emotional, and social scars left on survivors.
Healthcare workers reported treating survivors with severe injuries from the violence, including vaginal bleeding, bruises, and other physical trauma. In at least four cases, these injuries proved fatal.
A Call for Accountability and Support
Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at HRW, emphasized the urgent need for accountability and support for the victims. “The Rapid Support Forces have raped, gang raped, and forced into marriage countless women and girls in residential areas in Sudan’s capital,” she said. “The armed group has terrorized women and girls, and both warring parties have blocked them from getting aid and support services, compounding the harm they face and leaving them to feel that nowhere is safe.”
CNN is seeking comment from both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on the allegations contained in the HRW report. As the world watches, the international community must respond to the dire situation in Sudan, ensuring that those responsible for these atrocities are held accountable and that survivors receive the necessary support and care.
