Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-23 13:17:50
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in numerous atrocities, including rape and other forms of sexual violence, according to a recent report from the U.N. human rights office. The report highlights the grim reality that many people, including children, have fallen victim to these heinous acts, which may constitute war crimes.
The chaos in Sudan erupted in mid-April with clashes between rival Sudanese forces in Khartoum. The country’s army, led by General Abdel Fattah Burhan, clashed with a paramilitary faction known as the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by General Mohammed Hamdan Daglo. This conflict quickly spread throughout the country, leading to the deaths of over 12,000 people and displacing more than 8 million individuals, particularly in urban areas and the troubled West Darfur region.
The report covers the period from the onset of fighting to December 15, shedding light on the abuses and violence that have plagued a region largely inaccessible to aid groups and human rights monitors in recent times. The report reveals that at least 118 individuals have been victims of sexual violence, including rape, with the majority of the attacks perpetrated by paramilitary forces in homes and on the streets. Shockingly, one woman endured repeated gang rapes over a span of 35 days while detained in a building. Additionally, the report underscores the recruitment of child soldiers by both warring factions.
Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, emphasized that some of these violations could amount to war crimes and called for immediate, thorough, and independent investigations into these allegations of abuse and human rights violations. The report draws from interviews with over 300 victims and witnesses, conducted in neighbouring countries like Ethiopia and Chad, where many Sudanese refugees have sought shelter. It also utilizes analysis of photographs, videos, and satellite images from the conflict zones.
Despite the report’s coverage period, the conflict in Sudan continues unabated, with recent footage showing individuals in Sudanese army uniforms brandishing severed heads of members from the rival paramilitary faction in North Kordofan state. Türk decried the ongoing devastation, stressing the urgent need to silence the guns and protect civilians from further harm.
Seif Magango, a regional spokesperson for the UN human rights office, highlighted the alarming milestone of over 8 million displaced individuals in Sudan, urging global concern for their plight. In early February, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that a military solution is not viable for the Sudanese conflict, urging the rival generals to engage in dialogue to bring an end to the violence. Guterres emphasized the futility of continued fighting, emphasizing the necessity to halt the conflict promptly.
In conclusion, the report paints a grim picture of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, where widespread atrocities and human rights violations persist unchecked. The international community must prioritize the protection of civilians, investigate and address the violations, and work towards a lasting peace in Sudan.
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