Sudan group accuses RSF of raping 19 women who fled el-Fasher

"Sudan Doctors Network says two of the victims were pregnant and calls for immediate action to protect Sudanese women and girls. A prominent Sudanese doctor's group has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of raping at least 19 women as they fled the city of el-Fasher in Darfur. The Sudan Doctors Network said in a statement on Sunday that it documented the rapes among women who had fled to the town of al-Dabba in the neighbouring Northern State."

"Two of the women were pregnant, the group said. The Sudan Doctors Network strongly condemns the gang rape being perpetrated by the RSF against women escaping the horrors of El-Fasher, affirming that it constitutes a direct targeting of women in a blatant violation of all international laws that criminalise the use of women's bodies as a weapon of oppression, the group wrote on X."

"Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 12 million, according to the United Nations. It has also left some 30 million in need of humanitarian aid. The RSF took the city of el-Fasher, the capital of the state of North Darfur, in November after an 18-month campaign of siege and starvation."

At least 19 women were raped by the Rapid Support Forces while fleeing el-Fasher, with two victims reported pregnant and cases documented among those displaced to al-Dabba. The attacks are described as gang rapes and a direct targeting of women, violating international laws that prohibit using women's bodies as weapons. Sudan has been in civil war since April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF, with tens of thousands killed, over 12 million displaced and some 30 million needing humanitarian aid. The RSF captured el-Fasher after an 18-month siege; survivors report mass killings, rape and pillaging. Amnesty International accuses the RSF of war crimes; the UN Human Rights Council has engaged.

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