The United Nations has raised concerns over an epidemic of sexual violence in war-torn Sudan, with the humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, admitting global failure in protecting women from the escalating atrocities.
During his first visit to Port Sudan, Fletcher, who heads the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said, “I feel ashamed that we have not been able to protect you, and I feel ashamed for my fellow men for what they have done.”
Since April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The violence has killed tens of thousands, displaced over 11 million, and plunged nearly 26 million people into the threat of starvation, exacerbating what the UN describes as the worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory.
Sexual violence has become a horrifying hallmark of the conflict, with the UN’s fact-finding mission documenting widespread atrocities, including rape, sexual exploitation, enforced marriages, and human trafficking.
“The sheer scale of sexual violence we have documented in Sudan is staggering,” said Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the mission.
Fletcher visited Port Sudan, now the country’s de facto capital, and met with army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to discuss ways to expedite aid delivery amid bureaucratic challenges.
Speaking at an event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Fletcher emphasised the urgent need to address the plight of women in Sudan.
“The situation faced by vulnerable civilians, in particular women and girls of all ages, is deeply alarming and needs urgent address,” Othman added, urging the world to step up its efforts.
The international community remains under pressure to respond effectively to the crisis and hold perpetrators accountable.
