What's happened
Recent reports detail ongoing atrocities in Sudan's conflict, including mass rapes, ethnic targeting, and trafficking, with over 1,800 rapes documented since April 2023. The conflict involves the army and RSF, with widespread impunity and systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The ICJ is expected to rule on Myanmar genocide, highlighting international accountability.
What's behind the headline?
The ongoing violence in Sudan exemplifies how sexual violence is deliberately weaponized to terrorize and displace communities, often along ethnic lines. The documented cases of mass rapes, abductions, and trafficking reveal a calculated strategy to fracture social fabrics and erase identities. The international response remains limited, with the ICC investigating but little tangible action on the ground. The Sudanese conflict underscores a broader pattern of impunity, where perpetrators act with little fear of consequences, perpetuating cycles of violence. Meanwhile, the Myanmar case at the ICJ highlights how legal institutions are increasingly used to hold states accountable for genocide, though enforcement remains challenging. The convergence of these stories signals a disturbing trend: systematic violence and ethnic cleansing are becoming normalized in conflict zones, with international mechanisms struggling to deliver justice or deterrence. The next steps will likely involve increased international pressure and potential sanctions, but without robust enforcement, these efforts may fall short of ending the cycle of abuse.
What the papers say
The reports from All Africa and The New Arab provide detailed accounts of systematic sexual violence in Sudan, emphasizing the deliberate use of rape as a weapon of war and the impunity that allows such crimes to continue. Sulaima Ishaq al-Khalifa's interviews reveal the scale and brutality of the atrocities, including trafficking and ethnic targeting, with documented cases exceeding 1,800 rapes. The ICC's investigation into organized campaigns of violence, including mass rapes and executions, underscores the gravity of the situation. Conversely, the coverage from Sky News and France 24 highlights the broader context of the conflict, including the use of sexual violence alongside looting and ethnic cleansing, and the international legal efforts to address genocide in Myanmar. The ICJ's upcoming ruling on Myanmar's alleged genocide marks a significant legal milestone, with testimonies from victims and evidence of hate speech on social media platforms like Facebook illustrating the global scope of state-sponsored violence. These sources collectively demonstrate that while legal and diplomatic avenues are being pursued, the persistence of impunity and systematic violence remains a critical challenge.
How we got here
The conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023 between the army and RSF, leading to widespread atrocities including sexual violence, ethnic targeting, and displacement. Reports indicate systematic use of rape as a weapon of war, with survivors facing stigma and lack of accountability. Meanwhile, the ICJ is preparing to rule on Myanmar's alleged genocide against the Rohingya, with recent hearings revealing evidence of mass atrocities and hate speech facilitated by social media platforms.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Is the Scale of Sexual Violence in Sudan’s Conflict?
Since April 2023, Sudan's ongoing conflict has not only caused widespread violence and displacement but has also led to a disturbing rise in sexual violence. Over 1,800 documented rapes and allegations of systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war highlight the severity of this crisis. Understanding the scale and impact of these atrocities is crucial to grasping the full scope of the conflict and the urgent need for international action.
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Why is sexual violence escalating in Sudan?
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to a disturbing rise in sexual violence, with over 1,800 documented cases since April 2023. Armed groups, including the RSF, are using sexual violence systematically as a weapon of war, ethnic cleansing, and trafficking. This page explores why these atrocities are increasing, what impact they have on civilians, and what international efforts are underway to address these crimes.
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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The International Criminal Court is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague, Netherlands.
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The Rapid Support Forces are Sudanese paramilitary forces operated by the Sudanese Government. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought on behalf of the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur, killing an