Women driven to suicide after RSF attacks in Al Jazirah, says SIHA

January 6, 2025 (WAD MADANI) – At least 10 women in Sudan’s East Al Jazirah region have taken their own lives following a campaign of rape and violence by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA).

The surge in suicides occurred between October and December after the RSF launched retaliatory attacks in the region following the defection of one of their commanders to the Sudanese army.

“We have received reports of 10 suicides of women and girls in Al-Hilaliya, Tambul, and Azraq,” SIHA regional director Hala Al-Karib told Reuters. “They were driven to this desperate act after suffering gang rape at the hands of RSF fighters.”

Al-Karib said women, girls and children in the region are experiencing severe psychological trauma from the violence.

SIHA has documented 39 cases of rape, including three that resulted in death from severe bleeding. Eight girls were raped in front of their families, and three women were subjected to rape and torture.

The organization also reported the disappearance of 222 women since the conflict began in April, mainly from Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Sennar, and Al-Alifun. Some were reportedly abducted while trying to flee RSF attacks.

Last week, the “Al Jazirah Conference,” a civil society group, sent a memorandum to international organizations condemning the RSF’s actions and calling for their leaders to be prosecuted for war crimes.