Three Years Too Long: Analysis of Trends and the Devastating Human Rights Impacts of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Sudan from 15 April 2023 to 15 April 2026

A UN Human Rights report released Tuesday documents widespread conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan since fighting began in April 2023, and its long-term effects on victims and communities. The report says sexual violence has accompanied both the geographic spread of the conflict and displacement journeys, and has been used consistently to terrorize and traumatize civilians. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war and could amount to war crimes, and in certain contexts, crimes against humanity. In Darfur, the UN states there are reasonable grounds that some acts committed during widespread and systematic attacks may qualify as crimes against humanity. The UN Human Rights Office verified 546 incidents across 16 of Sudan’s 18 states up to mid-April, affecting at least 838 victims, including 539 women and 284 girls. Most verified incidents were attributed to men in Rapid Support Forces uniforms and affiliated militias, with some also linked to SAF and other armed groups.