Harrowing tales of SGBV in North Darfur as Sudan's conflict rages

Humanitarian organisations, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), have documented numerous cases of sexual violence against women, children, and men following displacement in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.

A midwife in Tawila, North Darfur, recalled the harrowing story of a girl who was repeatedly raped moments after her abuser ordered his driver to run over her mother.

The incident occurred as they fled from the Zamzam camp, near El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which has been under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies for over a year. The RSF’s attack on Zamzam on April 13 displaced around 380,000 people to Tawila.

“In just five weeks, more than 300 survivors of sexual violence sought care at MSF-supported services in Tawila,” said MSF.

Anna, a midwife with 18 years’ experience working with MSF, described the emergency room on the day victims began arriving in large numbers following the assault on Zamzam camp.

“The room was full of women shouting, most seeking care after being raped. In the middle was a girl, silent, barely meeting my eyes,” she said.

Anna learnt that the girl’s abuser had asked if she belonged to the Zaghawa tribe. When she denied it, the commander insisted. Her mother tried to defend her, but was killed when the abuser ordered his driver to run her over.

He then repeatedly raped the girl before releasing her.

“It was only when the commander went after other people that his driver brought me back to my dead mother and the others escaping with us. We placed my mother’s body on a donkey and continued toward Tawila,” the girl told Anna.

MSF said that since the war’s outbreak in April 2023, non-Arab ethnic groups, including the Masalit, Zaghawa, and Fur, many of whom survived the violence in Darfur two decades ago, have been particularly targeted.

“The RSF, which controls much of Darfur and besieges El Fasher, dominates most exit routes, attacking those trying to flee. This includes communities that face rape, torture, and even killings along the way,” MSF said. "This situation is detailed in the MSF report Besieged, Attacked, Starved: Mass Atrocities in El Fasher and Zamzam, Sudan, published in early July 2025."

By the end of June, MSF had strengthened referral pathways through four community centres in displacement camps to improve community engagement.

At Tawila hospital, only nine survivors received care between January and March 2025. This rose to 121 between April and June, and to 339 in July and August.

"With strengthened referral systems explaining part of this increase, the numbers indicate improved access to care, but also how widespread sexual violence is," MSF explained.

According to MSF, several victims report brutal assaults by multiple armed perpetrators while fleeing.

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Attacks continue around El Fasher, including bombings at Abu Shouk camp, with new survivors and survivors arriving regularly in Tawila.

Anna noted a change in victim patterns since April.

“Initially, mostly women and girls arrived within 72 hours of the attacks. By August, survivors were coming forward later, supported by community centres," she said, adding, “Sexual violence against men remains largely hidden due to stigma, but indications emerge during consultations.”

Despite barriers, more than 600 survivors sought care at MSF centres between April and August 2025.

“The brutality in Darfur must be documented and stopped. Humanitarian donors and organisations must scale up services for survivors, strengthen protection, and hold perpetrators accountable. Civilians need protection,” the group said.

Anna said survivors require comprehensive, free and timely support, including medical, psychological and social care.

“Darfur’s survivors face relentless atrocities. The world cannot look away,” she said.

(Names changed for security reasons)