MSF Exposes Sexual Violence as Weapon in Sudan's Brutal War
In a harrowing report released Tuesday, the aid organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) disclosed that thousands of women and girls have sought treatment for sexual violence in war-ravaged Sudan over nearly two years. The group emphasized that rape is being systematically used as a weapon in the country's ongoing brutal conflict, with the documented cases representing only a fraction of the actual crisis.
Staggering Statistics and Survivor Accounts
MSF reported that at least 3,396 survivors of sexual violence were treated at its facilities between January 2024 and November 2025. Most survivors identified their attackers as armed men, and in a particularly alarming finding, 60% of the reported cases in South Darfur involved multiple perpetrators, indicating widespread gang rape. The report, as cited by AP, includes chilling accounts from women in South Darfur and North Darfur who endured horrific ordeals.
One survivor described her experience in the report, stating, "They took us to an open area. The first man raped me twice, the second once, the third four times." Such testimonies underscore the systematic nature of the violence, which MSF argues is part of a broader strategy in the conflict.
Tip of the Iceberg: A Crisis Beyond Numbers
Speaking at the report launch in Nairobi, Kenya, MSF Emergency Coordinator Myriam Laroussi warned that the recorded figures are just a "tip of the iceberg." Laroussi, who was in Tawila in North Darfur in late 2025 after the fall of El Fasher, explained that the scale of sexual violence is likely far greater in areas where MSF has no access due to security constraints and logistical challenges.
Medical workers highlighted that survivors often face major delays in reaching treatment, exacerbating their physical and psychological trauma. MSF midwife Gloria Endreo noted that teams in Tawila were seeing an average of 10 to 15 women a day, with most arriving after the first 72 hours. This critical period is essential for treating injuries, preventing infections, and avoiding unwanted pregnancies.
"As healthcare practitioners, we consider the 72 hours as a golden period because we provide a lot of care within that period," Endreo said. She added that many victims have to walk for days or travel by camel to access care, further delaying essential medical intervention.
Community-Wide Impact and Calls for Action
MSF sexual health specialist Andreza Trajano emphasized that the violence has left a deep impact on entire communities. In some cases, girls were raped in front of their mothers and grandparents, she reported. Fear of sexual assault has also paralyzed daily activities, such as farming, disrupting livelihoods and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Trajano posed a poignant question: "Will we continue to just let women's and girls' bodies be used as a weapon of war?" In response, MSF urged the United Nations to strengthen its presence in Sudan to better respond to the needs of affected communities and provide protection against such atrocities.
Background: Sudan's Descent into Chaos
Sudan descended into chaos in April 2023 after a power struggle between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into open fighting in Khartoum and other parts of the country. The conflict has resulted in devastating consequences:
- The war has killed more than 40,000 people, according to UN figures, though aid groups believe the actual death toll is much higher.
- The International Criminal Court is investigating mass killings, gang rapes, and other abuses as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- Fighting has recently intensified in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, with deadly attacks, often involving drones, reported daily. The UN Human Rights Office stated that more than 500 civilians had been killed in drone strikes as of mid-March this year.
This report from MSF sheds light on a hidden aspect of the conflict, calling for immediate international attention and action to address the use of sexual violence as a tool of war in Sudan.
