The ongoing civil war in Sudan has plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented severity. A recent report from UNICEF, the United Nations’ (UN) children’s agency, has exposed the horrifying reality of systematic sexual violence being perpetrated against infants and young children. The report details cases of rape and sexual assault against minors, with the youngest survivors being just one year old.
Shocking Findings from UNICEF
The UNICEF report, released on Tuesday, documented at least 221 cases of child rape since the beginning of 2024, along with 77 additional cases of sexual assault against children. Alarmingly, four of the survivors were only one year old, while 12 others were under the age of five. The data revealed that 66% of the victims were girls, while 33% were boys.
However, UNICEF acknowledges that these numbers represent only a fraction of the actual cases. Many survivors, their families, and even frontline workers are often unable or unwilling to report such crimes due to cultural stigmas, fear of retribution, and challenges in accessing services.
Patterns of Sexual Violence
The report, based on firsthand accounts from December 2024 and January 2025, described how children were subjected to sexual violence in multiple contexts. Many were assaulted during armed invasions of cities, while attempting to flee danger, or while being held in detention. Some instances involved sexual exploitation in exchange for food or other essential supplies.
One of the most harrowing testimonies included reports of armed men storming homes and demanding, at gunpoint, that families surrender their daughters. In some cases, girls were raped in front of their loved ones while family members who resisted were violently attacked.
Sudan’s Prolonged Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan has been embroiled in war for nearly two years, with rival factions—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti)—fighting for control. The conflict has exacerbated an already dire situation, following the displacement and mass killings that plagued the country in the early 2000s.
Since April 2023, over 28,700 people have been killed, and more than 11 million have been forced to flee their homes, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data initiative.
The Psychological Toll on Survivors
The consequences of such widespread sexual violence are devastating. One survivor, an 11-year-old boy named Musa (name changed for privacy), was seen clutching his mother’s hand while seeking psychological support to cope with his trauma. Another survivor, a woman identified as Omnia, recounted the horrors of being detained by armed men for 19 days. She described hearing the cries of young girls being raped every night, an experience that left her suicidal.
“After nine at night, someone opens the door, carrying a whip, selects one of the girls, and takes her to another room. I could hear the little girl crying and screaming. They were raping her… She is still just a young child. They only release these girls at dawn, and they return almost unconscious,” Omnia shared with UNICEF.
Calls for Immediate Action
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, called for urgent intervention, stating, “The testimonies should shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action. Widespread sexual violence in Sudan has instilled terror in people, especially children.”
The report underscores that these atrocities are occurring across Sudan, with cases of child rape recorded in nine different states. The SAF currently controls the eastern and northern regions of the country, while the RSF dominates the western, southern, and central regions, including Darfur.
The International Community’s Responsibility
Despite the severity of the crisis, international response has been inadequate. Humanitarian organizations continue to struggle with access restrictions and limited resources to support survivors. UNICEF’s findings highlight an urgent need for the global community to take decisive action—whether through diplomatic pressure, increased humanitarian aid, or stronger protective measures for vulnerable populations.
The ongoing war in Sudan has become a battleground not just for territory but for the dignity and safety of the most vulnerable members of society—its children. Without immediate intervention, the cycle of violence will continue, leaving lasting scars on generations to come.
Source:https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/03/africa/sudan-civil-war-child-rape-intl/index.html
