Rape and sexual violence remain part of everyday life in areas of Sudan even when fighting in the country's civil war has moved elsewhere, according to a new report by medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Calling rape a defining feature of the conflict, it says sexual assault is overwhelmingly carried out by armed men and is often accompanied by acts of brutality and humiliation. But MSF states rape persists as an insidious part of life for communities in the western region of Darfur that are no longer on the front line.
The report is the most comprehensive account yet on sexual violence in Sudan's nearly three-year war, based on testimonies from 3,396 victims who sought treatment in MSF-supported facilities.
Both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are implicated in these atrocities, with the RSF being a significant perpetrator, especially in North Darfur.
The charity indicates that over 90% of victims treated by its facilities were assaulted while travelling for safety. The attacks often involved multiple assailants and other forms of violence.
One woman recounted being raped multiple times, highlighting the sheer horror and routine nature of these events. Victims also reported being assaulted in public spaces, illustrating the extreme risks faced by women in their daily activities, such as collecting firewood and water.
MSF calls for immediate action to address the systemic issue of sexual violence in Sudan, emphasizing the need for accountability for the perpetrators.
