African Commission on Human an
As part of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights convergence in Banjul,the Dafur Advocacy Group organized a side event to rampant sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in Al-Fashir’s Humanitarian Crisis.
The group is concerned that the ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, has been the Rapid Support Forces systematically using women as a weapon of war through widespread sexual and gender-based violence since the hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF erupted in April 2023.
According to activists, survivor testimonies reveal that the RSF has frequently used sexual Violence during their military campaigns, targeting women and girls during attacks on villages and displacement camps. These acts of violence are often accompanied by additional atrocities, such as killings looting and the burning of homes, exacerbating the trauma inflicted on victims and their communities.
The session also discussed the barriers to Justice. Survivors of SGBV face immense barriers to accessing justice, protection, and healthcare.
The ongoing conflict they said has decimated the region’s judicial and law enforcement systems, leaving survivors with no reliable avenue to report crimes or seek justice. The courts that once operated are dis-functioned, and there is no effective police presence to investigate or prosecute perpetrators.
The among the key recommendations the session praised are;
Establishing safe access to healthcare services, including trauma counseling and medical treatment for survivors of SGBV in conflict zones like Al-Fasher.
The activists call on the international Community, including the UN Security Council and the African Union, to pressure both warring parties, particularly the RSF to cease using sexual Violence as a weapon of war.
