Armed Groups Raping Children in Sudan’s Civil War

The ongoing civil war in Sudan has brought about devastating consequences, with the UN children’s agency, Unicef, reporting shocking instances of armed men raping and sexually assaulting children as young as one. This mass sexual violence has become a horrifying weapon of war, and the plight of young children, in particular, has been alarmingly detailed in a recent Unicef report.

For nearly two years, Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Unicef’s recent report shines a light on the severe impact the conflict has had on children, revealing a dark side of war that many may have not fully understood.

Mass sexual violence has been widely documented throughout the conflict, but Unicef’s findings provide the first comprehensive account of how children, including infants, are bearing the brunt of this horrifying crime. According to the agency, a third of the victims were boys, highlighting the unique challenges these victims face when trying to report such crimes or seek help.

Since the beginning of 2024, 221 cases of child rape have been officially reported. However, the true number is likely much higher due to the overwhelming stigma around sexual violence in Sudan, where many survivors and their families fear retribution from armed groups or the society’s backlash.

Unicef’s report reveals appalling details, with 16 victims under the age of five, including four infants. These findings underscore the magnitude of sexual violence being used as a tool of terror in Sudan’s civil war. While Unicef does not directly blame any party for the assaults, previous investigations have pointed to the RSF’s involvement, citing their repeated use of sexual violence as a means to subdue and terrorize civilians.

The RSF, engaged in a brutal war against former allies in the Sudanese Armed Forces, has denied any wrongdoing. However, international human rights groups have accused RSF forces of targeting specific ethnic groups in the Darfur region, using rape as a weapon to drive out black Africans from Sudan.

As Sudan continues to be torn apart by conflict, the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly dire. With hospitals looted or destroyed and aid efforts severely underfunded, survivors of sexual violence have few resources to turn to for support or medical treatment. The disruption of education has also been significant, with three out of four school-age girls currently out of school due to the war.

Recent cuts in US foreign aid have only worsened the situation, leaving many local organizations, including those run by women, without the resources needed to support survivors. A Sudanese organization, “She Leads,” was forced to shut down when US funding ceased, impacting dozens of survivors who relied on their services.

The horrific sexual violence reported by Unicef highlights the urgency of addressing these war crimes and providing much-needed aid to survivors. Humanitarian organizations, such as Unicef, are working to create safe spaces for children through Emergency Response Rooms run by local activists. However, these efforts are severely hampered by a lack of funding and resources, further exacerbating the already dire situation.

Women-led local organizations are key to supporting survivors of sexual violence, but they receive less than 2% of the total UN funding dedicated to Sudan’s humanitarian response. As the situation worsens, global attention and support are more critical than ever.