Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported that sexual violence remains a prevalent issue in Sudan, even as the country’s civil war has shifted elsewhere. The report, which covers nearly three years of conflict, highlights the continued occurrence of rape and sexual assault in the western region of Darfur. The charity’s findings are based on testimonies from 3,396 victims who sought treatment in MSF-supported facilities between January 2024 and November 2025.
The report details numerous acts of sexual violence, including brutal and humiliating acts, predominantly carried out by armed men. Many of the attacks took place in North Darfur, following the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) takeovers of displaced persons camps and the city of el-Fasher. Over 90% of the victims were assaulted while traveling to safety in the town of Tawila.
Survivors describe harrowing accounts of rape, including multiple instances and acts of extreme violence. One woman reported being raped by four men, while another girl, 15 years old, was also attacked. The report also notes an ethnic dimension to the attacks, with non-Arab communities being systematically targeted.
Despite the conflict moving elsewhere, rape has persisted in Darfur, according to MSF. In South Darfur, which is far from active conflict zones, over 1,300 survivors were raped while carrying out daily activities such as collecting firewood or water. The report underscores the sense of impunity among perpetrators, which is rooted in the region’s long history of conflict.
MSF’s data represents only a fraction of the true scale of the abuse, given barriers to care such as ongoing insecurity, stigma, and the absence of functioning protection services. The charity calls for accountability and action, stating that the humanitarian system has failed to respond adequately to the needs of survivors.
Source: Médecins Sans Frontières
