Women, girls tell of horrific, traumatic rape, sexual assault in Sudan as conflict rages
- Sexual assault is being committed by both sides in the fighting, which use ‘gender-based violence as a weapon of war’, human rights group says
- Rape and sexual assault during war are aimed at humiliating a community as well as the individual – both are war crimes and breach international humanitarian law
On May 9, soon after her 12th birthday, Muna left her home in Khartoum and walked to the local shop. She often ran errands on her own and would quickly return to her mother.
But not this time.
Two soldiers buying cigarettes noticed Muna as she was choosing bread – one grabbed her arm while the other raised his rifle, threatening the store owner to keep his distance. They dragged her to a construction site nearby and raped her.
The soldiers were members of the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group that’s been fighting the Sudanese Army for control of the capital city for the past three months. Both have a fearsome reputation.
Dumped on the side of the road, bleeding and in pain, Muna made it home with the help of the shopkeeper, a family friend.
Her parents filed a complaint with judicial authorities, who referred them to a psychologist, who in turn, advised them to avoid the nearest hospital because it was controlled by the RSF.
