Sexual violence is actively being utilized as a tactic of war in the ongoing, brutal conflict in Sudan, according to a new report released by the international aid organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Sudan descended into widespread chaos in April 2023 following an eruption of fighting between the nation's military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This power struggle has resulted in widespread atrocities.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently examining numerous allegations arising from the conflict, including mass killings and gang rapes, as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.

MSF Findings on Sexual Assault in Darfur

Reported Cases and Perpetrators

MSF detailed harrowing accounts from women who endured gang rape specifically in the South Darfur and North Darfur regions. Between January 2024 and November 2025, MSF facilities treated a minimum of 3,396 survivors of sexual violence.

The organization noted that the majority of identified perpetrators were armed men. Furthermore, 60% of the cases documented in South Darfur involved multiple assailants.

Survivor Testimony

The report included direct testimony illustrating the severity of these attacks. One survivor recounted, “They took us to an open area. The first man raped me twice, the second once, the third four times,” as quoted in the MSF document.

The Hidden Scale of Violence

Myriam Laroussi, MSF Emergency Coordinator, stated during the report launch in Nairobi, Kenya, that the documented figures represent merely the “tip of the iceberg.” Laroussi, who was supporting teams in Tawila, North Darfur, after the fall of El Fasher in late 2025, emphasized that the true scale is much larger in areas inaccessible to MSF.

Critical Healthcare Challenges for Survivors

Delayed Treatment Post-Trauma

Gloria Endreo, an MSF midwife, shared that teams were seeing an average of 10 to 15 women daily. Tragically, most survivors arrived well after the crucial 72-hour window for optimal medical intervention.

This critical period is essential for treating injuries, managing trauma, preventing infections, and offering post-exposure prophylaxis against unwanted pregnancies. Victims often face immense logistical hurdles, sometimes requiring days of walking or camel rides just to reach facilities like the one in Tawila.

Wider Community Impact

Andreza Trajano, an MSF sexual health specialist, highlighted the extensive ripple effect of these assaults. The violence impacts the entire community, noting that in some instances, girls were raped in view of their mothers and grandparents.

Trajano added that fear of sexual assault prevents community members from carrying out essential daily tasks, such as farming. She posed a critical question: “Will we continue to just let women’s and girls’ bodies be used as a weapon of war?”

Call for International Action

In response to the crisis, MSF issued an appeal urging the United Nations to enhance its presence within Sudan. This increased presence is deemed necessary to better address the urgent needs of affected communities.

The devastating war, which began over a dispute for power, has reportedly killed over 40,000 people according to U.N. estimates, although aid groups suggest the actual toll is significantly higher.

Recent fighting has concentrated in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, characterized by daily deadly attacks, often utilizing drones. As of mid-March this year, the U.N. Human Rights Office reported that over 500 civilians had been killed in drone strikes alone.