A militarized social environment and entrenched gender inequality are fueling a permanent crisis of sexual assault in Sudan’s Darfur region.
Military transitions in Sudan have failed to bring relief to civilian populations, as sexual violence persists as a tool of dominance in regions far from the active front lines. A detailed report by MSF concludes that the “militarized environment” in states like South Darfur has created a sense of total impunity for armed men. The study, which analyzed 3,396 cases of sexual assault from early 2024 through late 2025, argues that rape has been integrated into the “everyday life” of the conflict.
The data suggests that the relocation of combat units does not end the victimization of local communities. In South Darfur, more than 1,300 women—56% of all survivors treated in the state—were attacked while performing routine chores such as working in fields or transporting goods to market. This “insidious” violence is often accompanied by extreme physical abuse, including beatings with sticks and the forced observation of assaults on relatives.
While the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are identified as the primary perpetrators in the Darfur stronghold, the report notes that the collapse of state authority has allowed a variety of actors to exploit the vulnerable. The RSF leadership has claimed to be investigating “individual violations” following international pressure, but MSF asserts that the scale of the atrocities and the systematic targeting of non-Arab ethnic groups indicate a broader command failure or a deliberate strategic choice.
SOURCES: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), International Criminal Court (Sudan Inquiries), Amnesty International.
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