ALBAWABA - Since war broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), hundreds of rape cases were reported mainly committed by members of the RSF.
Salima Ishaq, the Director of the Violence Against Women and Children Unit, confirmed that at least 550 rape cases were documented since the war started in April 2023. She continued that rape and sexual violence incidents are likely more than that, but the official reported cases topped 554.
Salima Ishaq told Alhurra: "We have monitored 554 cases, and we are receiving updates from the states, especially from the island, which is witnessing large displacement operations." "This number is very small compared to what is happening in reality."
The director further expressed that many other women are unable to report rape due to reasons including "cutting off communications" across Sudan or in other cases, women could fear of societal stigma."
On Jan. 7, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the leader of RSF, commonly referred to as Hemedti, as well as seven companies and one individual linked to these forces for committing war crimes including rape and sexual assaults.
Ishaq said the international community "was very late in recognizing the crimes of the Rapid Support Forces." She added that RSF forces "used sexual violence as a weapon of war in a clear and systematic manner."
