From the Heart of the War in Sudan: Harrowing Testimonies of Women Subjected to Sexual Violence by the Army

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Amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan since April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, Human Rights Watch has documented severe human rights violations, particularly concerning sexual violence against women and girls. Victims, aged between 7 and 50 years old, have suffered crimes including gang rape and sexual slavery, especially in South Kordofan state.

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In another report, the organization stated that the army had committed widespread sexual violence in the capital, Khartoum. Human Rights Watch gathered testimonies from 42 healthcare providers and field workers, who reported 262 cases of sexual violence in Khartoum between April 2023 and February 2024. These cases included rape and gang rape, with reports indicating that some victims were raped by up to five army fighters.

Among the most harrowing testimonies, a 35-year-old Nubian woman recounted that six army fighters stormed her family home and gang-raped her after killing her husband and son, who had tried to protect her. In another case, an 18-year-old woman reported that she was abducted along with 17 other women and girls from her village and held in a military base, where they were raped and beaten daily for three months, amounting to sexual slavery.

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These horrifying testimonies expose the scale of atrocities committed against women and girls in Sudan and highlight the urgent need to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable. Human Rights Watch has called on the United Nations and the African Union to deploy a civilian protection force in Sudan and urged states to hold those responsible for sexual violence accountable.

These violations are part of a broader pattern of sexual violence used as a weapon of war in armed conflicts, demanding a strong international response to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

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In a report documenting severe violations committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces in the town of Tabit, located in the Darfur region, the organization gathered chilling testimonies of Sudanese women and girls who were subjected to gang sexual assaults by Sudanese army soldiers.

Victims’ Testimonies

One survivor reported that she was raped by multiple soldiers inside her home while her family members were held in a nearby room. Another woman stated that after fleeing her home, she was captured and raped by a group of soldiers in a remote area. Other testimonies indicated that soldiers stormed homes at night and sexually assaulted women and girls, some as young as 12 years old.

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Details of the Violations

According to the report, these attacks began on October 30, 2014, when the Sudanese Armed Forces surrounded the town of Tabit and carried out extensive search operations. During these operations, soldiers systematically committed acts of sexual violence, raping more than 200 women and girls within 36 hours. Testimonies indicated that soldiers used violence and armed threats to force victims into submission, with some women being gang-raped by multiple soldiers.

Psychological and Social Impact

These assaults have caused devastating psychological effects on the victims, with many suffering from severe trauma, depression, and a deep sense of shame and social stigma. Some victims were even forced to leave their communities for fear of retaliation or social exclusion.

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International Reactions

The report sparked widespread international condemnation, with human rights organizations and the international community calling for independent and transparent investigations into these crimes and the prosecution of those responsible. Human Rights Watch also urged the Sudanese government to allow international organizations access to the region to provide medical and psychological support to victims.

These harrowing testimonies expose the extent of the atrocities committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces against women and girls in Darfur, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and adequate support for survivors.

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