Rape and sexual violence remain “part of everyday life” in parts of Sudan, even in areas no longer on the front lines of the conflict, according to a new report by the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
MSF described rape as a “defining feature” of the war, saying assaults are overwhelmingly carried out by armed men and frequently accompanied by brutality, intimidation and humiliation.
The charity warned that sexual violence has become an “insidious” and persistent reality in communities across Darfur, particularly in areas where active fighting has subsided but insecurity remains entrenched.
The report, which MSF says is the most comprehensive account of sexual violence during Sudan’s nearly three-year war, is based on testimonies from 3,396 survivors who sought care in MSF-supported facilities in North and South Darfur between January 2024 and November 2025.
According to MSF, many of the attacks occurred in North Darfur, particularly during waves of violence linked to the takeover of displacement camps and urban areas, which the organisation described as involving “unimaginable brutality”.
The charity said more than 90% of survivors it treated in some areas were assaulted while attempting to flee to safety, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of displaced populations.
MSF reported that attacks often involved multiple perpetrators and included additional forms of violence such as beatings, threats with weapons and, in some cases, the killing of relatives.
The organisation also documented patterns of ethnic targeting, stating that non-Arab communities, including the Zaghawa, Massalit and Fur, were “systematically targeted” in these assaults.
MSF stressed that sexual violence has not diminished as front lines shift, attributing its persistence to a highly militarised environment, entrenched gender inequalities and a widespread sense of impunity among perpetrators.
In South Darfur, far from active combat zones, the charity said rape has become routine, with more than half of survivors reporting assaults while carrying out daily activities such as collecting water, working in fields or travelling.
MSF noted that many victims identified armed men as perpetrators, though civilians, criminal groups and intimate partners were also reported in some cases.
The report highlighted the vulnerability of children, with one in five survivors in South Darfur under the age of 18, including cases involving very young children.
MSF warned that its data likely represents only a fraction of the true scale of abuse, citing barriers such as insecurity, displacement, stigma and the lack of functioning protection and support services.
The organisation said the humanitarian response has failed to meet the needs of survivors and called for urgent action, accountability and increased protection measures to address the crisis.
