Local activists allege brutal rape by RSF in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah

April 16, 2024 (WAD MADANI) – The Al-Hasahisa Resistance Committees, a local activist group in Al-Jazirah State, issued a statement on Tuesday alleging the kidnapping, rape, and torture of a young woman by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) personnel.

The true extent of sexual violence remains unclear due to communication difficulties and limited healthcare access. Rights groups reportedly documented an estimated 370 cases of rape, likely a significant underestimation.

“A heavily armed RSF unit abducted a 20-year-old woman from her home in a civilian neighborhood,” the Resistance Committees claimed in a statement received by Sudan Tribune.

“She was gang-raped and tortured for days before being returned home, unable to walk or speak, and in a severe psychological state,” the statement added.

Despite domestic and international pressure, the RSF, implicated in the majority of conflict-related sexual violence cases, has shown no signs of addressing these crimes. No measures have been taken to prevent future occurrences or hold perpetrators accountable.

The Resistance Committees believe this case is just one of many due to communication restrictions and the media blackout imposed by the RSF.

The statement also highlighted the increasing frequency of RSF attacks, attributed to a lack of leadership accountability in the city, declining troop discipline, and internal RSF disorder, potentially leading to further abuses.

Documenting sexual violence cases is challenging due to several factors, including communication and internet disruptions in parts of Sudan, limited healthcare access, and the conservative nature of Sudanese society, where the stigma associated with rape discourages victims from reporting.

The RSF seized control of Al-Jazirah State unchallenged late last year. Since then, the group has been accused of committing widespread human rights abuses, including forced displacement, murder, kidnapping, looting, and sexual violence.