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HRW Accuses Sudan's RSF of Gang Rape and Sexual Slavery in South Kordofan

Dec 16, 2024, 08:35 AM

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias of committing widespread sexual violence in South Kordofan state, southern Sudan. Since September 2023, HRW has documented numerous cases involving women and girls aged between 7 and 50 who have been subjected to sexual violence, including gang rape and sexual slavery. The violence is described as a serious violation of international humanitarian law, constituting war crimes and potentially crimes against humanity. The RSF, which has been fighting against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023, has also engaged in hostilities with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), a rebel group controlling parts of South Kordofan. Survivors, including a 35-year-old from the Nuba tribe and an 18-year-old held for 3 months, have reported being gang-raped in their homes or those of neighbors, often in front of their families, with some being abducted and held in conditions of enslavement. HRW has urged the United Nations and the African Union to urgently deploy a mission to protect civilians in Sudan, provide comprehensive services to survivors, and ensure justice for these heinous crimes. The RSF is reportedly armed and funded by the United Arab Emirates.