New cases of rape emerge in Khartoum involving 9-year-old-victim
September 13, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – A government official in Khartoum on Wednesday disclosed disturbing new instances of rape, including an incident involving a 9-year-old girl, allegedly committed by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Just a day prior, United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Volker Truck revealed that his office had received credible reports of 45 cases of sexual violence related to the conflict, affecting a total of 95 victims, which included 19 children, 75 women, and one man. The perpetrators in approximately 78% of these incidents were identified as men in RSF uniforms or armed individuals affiliated with the RSF.
Salima Ishaq, the Director of the Violence Against Women and Children Unit, informed Sudan Tribune that her unit had documented “the rape of a girl no older than 9 years old by the Rapid Support Forces.” She further mentioned that the unit had initiated contact with the family of the victim to provide necessary healthcare and treatment.
While rape cases had seen a decrease in the recent past, Salima emphasized that they were now on the rise, mainly due to increased RSF attacks on civilians’ homes in Khartoum.
Both local and international reports have accused RSF personnel of committing a range of atrocities against civilians during the past five months of the ongoing conflict. These include killings, forced displacement of residents from their homes, sexual violence, and the enforced disappearance of women.
Reliable sources corroborated claims of RSF involvement in the rape of a girl in Block 5 in Buri, east of Khartoum, along with two other cases in the Al-Sariha area in Nasser Extension, adjacent to Buri. The Nasser Extension Resistance Committees also confirmed three cases of girls being raped by the Rapid Support Forces.
The paramilitary group which controls large parts of the capital acknowledge the occupation of civilians’ houses and looting of belongings and vehicles and vowed to hold culprits accountable but no mention was made of the rape and sexual attacks.
Since April 15, 2023, the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces has resulted in the displacement of 5.25 million Sudanese from their homes, with up to 42% of economic activities disrupted, according to the United Nations.
In his speech to the Security Council on Wednesday, UN Special Representative and UNITAMS Head Volker Perthes said that the United Nations will never be neutral when it comes to war and human rights abuses.
He further added that indiscriminate aerial bombings are carried out by those with an air force, specifically the SAF. While, the majority of sexual violence, looting, and killings occur in areas under the control of the RSF, and these actions are either conducted or tolerated by the RSF and their allies.
(ST)