Sudan's Civil War : The Unseen Battle

Another Episode of “Global Canvas” by JOI

War is not just fought on battlefields—it is waged on bodies. In Sudan’s ongoing civil war, sexual violence has become a weapon to inflict lasting trauma. According to a UNICEF report published on March 3, 2025, the scale of abuse is staggering: 221 cases of child rape were recorded in 2024 alone, including four one-year-old survivors. As Sudan remains engulfed in brutal conflict, with thousands of children and women subjected to unimaginable horrors, the need to confront and address sexual violence in war has never been more urgent. This week on Global Canvas, we explore the human security dimension of war and pose the question: How do we confront sexual violence as a weapon of conflict?

Context and Background

Sexual violence has long been used as a weapon of war to terrorize communities, break social bonds, and assert dominance. Armed groups systematically employ sexual violence to forcibly displace populations, inflict psychological trauma, and disrupt ethnic and demographic structures, including forced assimilation.

The same has long been a feature of conflict in Sudan. During the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005), thousands of children were forcibly recruited as soldiers, while women and girls were subjected to systematic rape, sexual slavery, and other abuses. The Darfur conflict saw similar atrocities, with the Janjaweed militia and government-backed forces using rape as a weapon of ethnic cleansing. The patterns established in these earlier conflicts continue today, albeit on a larger scale.

The current Sudanese civil war, which erupted on April 15, 2023, is a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. The origins of the conflict trace back to tensions between these two groups during negotiations over transitioning to civilian rule. A disagreement over the integration of RSF into the national army escalated into an all-out war, with violent clashes spreading across the country, particularly in Khartoum and the Darfur region.

Since the outbreak of conflict, various international mediation efforts have aimed to establish peace. Despite multiple cease-fire attempts, including U.S.-mediated talks, a lasting resolution remains elusive. In November 2024, U.S. Special Envoy Tom Perriello met with army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to address the humanitarian crisis and explore political solutions, though challenges persist due to limited political commitment from the warring factions.

Since the beginning of 2024 alone, over 200 children—including infants as young as one year old—have been raped in Sudan, according to UNICEF. More than 30% of these were boys, and 16 children were reported to be under the age of five. Survivors often face stigma, rejection, and lifelong physical and mental health consequences. This tactic extends beyond individual harm, destabilizing entire societies for generations.

The crisis continues to worsen as ongoing fighting leads to severe shortages of food, water, and fuel. Limited communication, electricity, and skyrocketing prices of essential goods further compound the situation. The healthcare system is also critically impacted, with severe shortages of medicines and vital supplies. Over 12 million people, which includes internally displaced people (IDPs), asylum seekers and refugees have been displaced. More than 90% of the country's 19 million school-age children are without access to formal education.

Key Players and Stakeholders

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is the country’s official military, established in 1956 after independence. Led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, it has played a dominant role in Sudanese politics, often intervening through military coups, including the 2019 overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir. The SAF aims to maintain control over Sudan’s government and military, eliminate the RSF, and restore its authority over the entire country. It strongly opposes integrating the RSF into its ranks without full control. Currently, the SAF controls parts of northern Sudan, including Port Sudan, which serves as the temporary government base, as well as parts of Khartoum and key military installations. It also influences eastern Sudan and retains air superiority, giving it an advantage in large-scale operations.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is a powerful paramilitary group in Sudan, originally formed from the Janjaweed militias that were active during the Darfur conflict. Led by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, the RSF was officially established in 2013 by former President Omar al-Bashir as a separate force to counter internal threats. However, it later turned against the military leadership, leading to the current conflict. The RSF seeks to overthrow the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), establish its dominance over Sudan, and secure control over key resources and power structures. It opposes full integration into the SAF, fearing loss of autonomy. The RSF currently controls most of Khartoum, large parts of Darfur, and areas in central and western Sudan. Using urban warfare and guerrilla tactics, it has leveraged its mobility and external support to maintain its hold over these regions.

Major Concerns and Consequences

Human security is the protection of fundamental freedoms and rights essential for survival, dignity, and livelihood. The rampant sexual violence in Sudan undermines this by leaving victims physically and emotionally devastated. Survivors of wartime sexual violence often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries, Moreover, victims frequently face social ostracization, further deepening their suffering and leaving them without access to justice or medical care. Furthermore, for young boys, rape carries deep stigma and societal taboos, making it even harder for them to seek help. Fear of shame, masculinity norms, and lack of support systems often force them into silence, worsening their trauma.

The war has also been linked to ethnic cleansing efforts, particularly in Darfur. Armed groups use violence and forced displacement to alter ethnic demographics, driving targeted communities into exile and instilling long-term fear. Children born from wartime upheaval often face severe discrimination and rejection, leading to generational trauma and ongoing destabilization.

The economic toll of war extends far beyond immediate destruction. War-torn societies experience a significant reduction in labor force participation as individuals struggle with displacement, injury, and trauma. Additionally, the loss of education—affecting millions of displaced Sudanese children—means a lost generation deprived of the skills needed for economic recovery.

Theoretically Speaking : Strategic Alignments and Power Shifts

Human security focuses on individuals as the referent object of security rather than just state security. Conflicts disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, with women, children, and marginalized communities facing the greatest risks. Women are more likely to experience gender-based violence, while children lose access to education and healthcare, deepening cycles of poverty and instability. Displacement, too, poses a great risk as displaced populations often struggle with food insecurity, lack of medical care, and exposure to disease, further worsening their situation.

Feminist theory critiques traditional security studies for ignoring gendered violence in war. It argues that conflict disproportionately affects women, not as collateral damage but as a deliberate strategy of war. In Sudan, the systematic use of sexual violence by armed groups reflects deep power imbalances, where women’s bodies become battlegrounds to assert dominance and control. Rape in these cases become not just an act of violence—but a tactic of psychological warfare, intended to ‘‘dishonor’’ the enemy, weaken morale, and fracture communities.

Takeaways

The Sudanese civil war continues to expose the darkest aspects of armed conflict, with sexual violence being wielded as a devastating weapon. A world that ignores these atrocities risks not only prolonging the suffering of victims but also enabling a culture where rape is normalized as a tool of war. It is time for a collective global response—one that prioritizes justice, protection, and the restoration of dignity to those affected.

Compiled by Commodore (Dr) Johnson Odakkal (with support from Ms Vivaksha Vats)

Stay Tuned for More!

As Sudan’s war rages on, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of conflict remains one of its most horrific legacies. The scars of this crisis extend beyond individuals, fracturing entire communities and generations. Addressing this reality demands more than outrage—it requires global action, justice for survivors, and a commitment to ending impunity.

In the next episode of Global Canvas, we continue to examine the shifting contours of human security and conflict resolution. What global issues concern you most? Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out at www.johnsonodakkal.com or email ceo@johnsonodakkal.com to stay tuned.