Sudan is currently facing an escalating humanitarian crisis. After 17 months of intense civil war that has shattered the nation, the Sudanese army has announced a significant military offensive in the capital, Khartoum. This operation aims to reclaim areas controlled by their adversaries, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The RSF initially took control of much of Khartoum at the onset of the conflict, while the army maintains authority over Omdurman, situated just across the Nile. Recent military efforts have reportedly established control over previously contested bridges, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle.
As people navigate the dangerous terrain, some are compelled to trek long distances, such as a group of women who traveled four hours to access cheaper food supplies in army-controlled regions. Many have expressed the dire circumstances at home, where their male family members live in fear of violence and extortion by RSF fighters.
“We endure this hardship because we want to feed our children. We’re hungry, we need food,” one woman lamented, highlighting the everyday struggles faced by families amidst the conflict.
Witnesses have described rampant lawlessness and brutality, with the United Nations estimating over 10.5 million people have been displaced by the violence. Sexual violence has emerged as a notorious aspect of the conflict, which began as a power struggle but has now escalated to involve various armed groups.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has labeled the use of rape as a “weapon of war.” A recent investigation documented numerous incidents of sexual violence perpetrated primarily by the RSF and their allied militias, constituting violations of international law.
Tragically, one survivor recounted her harrowing experience, revealing how attackers targeted her daughters. “I told the girls to stay behind me. If you want to rape anyone, it has to be me,” she recalled, narrating the violence that unfolded in her home.
These troubling accounts are echoed by many others, indicating a widespread crisis that demands global attention. The women affected continue to question where the international community is amid their suffering, pleading for assistance and acknowledgment of their plight.
The market at Omdurman, where many gather for cheaper goods, has become a grim reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the displaced. It has expanded rapidly, catering to those seeking affordable necessities, yet it symbolizes the desperation that has engulfed Sudan.
With the conflict showing no signs of resolution, many women are left with no option but to return to their perilous realities, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and international support in Sudan.
