Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) strongly condemns the heinous crimes of sexual violence perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias against women and girls in Sudan.

These crimes, documented by credible human rights organizations—including the recent Human Rights Watch report released on December 16, 2024—constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Human Rights Watch report reveals chilling details of gang rapes, sexual slavery, torture, and abductions committed by RSF forces, particularly in South Kordofan and Darfur. Between December 2023 and March 2024, RSF attacks on civilians in South Kordofan resulted in the deaths of dozens and the rape of at least 79 Nuba women and girls. Some of these victims were subjected to sexual slavery. Survivors’ testimonies describe harrowing incidents, including women being raped at gunpoint in their homes, often in front of their families. In one case, a woman was assaulted after her husband was murdered. Satellite imagery further corroborates the destruction of civilian property during these attacks.

The UN Human Rights Commission attributes 70% of confirmed sexual violence incidents in Sudan to fighters wearing RSF uniforms, with an incident reportedly involving individuals in army uniforms. According to the Horn of Africa Women’s Organization (SIHA), over 90% of the rapes documented were gang rapes, highlighting the systematic and deliberate use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan also confirms that RSF forces and allied militias have carried out targeted attacks on non-Arab communities, particularly the Masalit in West Darfur, involving killings, torture, rape, and the destruction of property. These crimes, committed on such a scale, are clear violations of international law.

Violations Under International Law

The atrocities committed by the RSF are a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocol II, which prohibit acts of violence against civilians, including sexual violence, during armed conflicts.

Articles 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court classify rape, sexual slavery, and torture as war crimes and crimes against humanity when committed on a widespread and systematic basis. Furthermore, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) underscores the obligation of all parties in conflict to protect women and girls from sexual violence and hold perpetrators accountable.

Sudan’s ongoing failure to address these crimes also breaches its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which the country has ratified. Continued impunity for these heinous acts is unacceptable and demands immediate action.

Demands for Immediate Action

Women Journalists Without Chains calls on the international community, the United Nations, the African Union, and all relevant stakeholders to take urgent and decisive action, including the following:

Hold perpetrators accountable by prosecuting those responsible for these crimes in international courts, ensuring they face justice for their actions.
Provide immediate psychological, medical, and legal assistance to survivors of sexual violence.
Strengthen accountability mechanisms by enforcing the UN Human Rights Council resolution, ending impunity, and implementing measures to ensure justice and reparations for victims.
Protect civilians by demanding an immediate cessation of violence, especially against women and children, and prioritizing efforts to end the conflict and build peace.
A Call for Justice and Peace

The devastating plight of women and girls in Sudan requires an urgent global response. These atrocities must not go unanswered. Women Journalists Without Chains reaffirms its commitment to exposing these violations, defending the rights of women, and pushing for justice and accountability on behalf of the survivors.

We urge all parties to act swiftly to end the violence, protect civilians, and address the root causes of impunity. The international community must not remain silent in the face of such unimaginable suffering. Women in Sudan deserve safety, dignity, and the assurance that their rights will be upheld.

Women Journalists Without Chains will continue to advocate for justice and work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of survivors are heard and their rights are defended.