Armed men are committing horrific acts of rape and sexual assault against children as young as one during the ongoing civil war in Sudan, according to a report by UNICEF. This marks the first detailed account of the impact of such violence on young children in the nearly two-year conflict.
The report reveals that one-third of the victims are boys, who often face unique challenges in reporting these crimes and seeking help. Although 221 cases of child rape have been officially reported since January 2024, UNICEF believes the actual number is likely much higher due to societal stigma and fear of retaliation from armed groups.
The report highlights the shocking reality that 16 victims were under the age of five, including four infants. While UNICEF does not specify who is responsible, other UN investigations have primarily blamed the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for using sexual violence as a tactic to instill fear in civilians and suppress resistance.
The RSF, currently fighting against the Sudanese Armed Forces, has denied any wrongdoing. Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the UN’s fact-finding mission, previously stated, “The sheer scale of sexual violence we have documented in Sudan is staggering.”
Evidence from international human rights groups suggests that victims in the RSF’s stronghold of Darfur were often targeted based on their ethnicity, specifically black Africans, in an apparent effort to drive them out of Sudan.
The humanitarian response in Sudan is already facing significant funding shortages, and recent cuts in US aid are expected to further limit support for victims.
-BBC
