Omdurman, a city that is torn with war, faces an unfathomable crisis. Women in Sudan are being forced into sexual acts with soldiers in return for food as a means of feeding their starving families, according to a Guardian report. Over two dozen women who could not escape the conflict have spoken out about this terrible situation they have been involved in.
These attacks happened mostly at what is called the “factories area” in Omdurman where most of the city’s food should be found.
One victim, aged 37 recounted her ordeal by saying: “Both my parents are too old and sick and I never let my daughter go out to look for food. I went to the soldiers and that was the only way to get food – they were everywhere in the factories area,” she said.
In May last year after Sudan’s devastating civil war broke out between its regular army forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), she had sex with soldiers at a meat factory. The same thing happened again in January when she was assaulted by RSF troops at a warehouse used for storing fava beans near her home.
This woman looked pale and thin during interviews; however, prior to the war she used to work as a housemaid for well-to-do families in Omdurman. Her financial situation made it impossible for her to move away from the city together with her family during eruption of violence.
The United Nations has reported record number of deaths and displacement caused by continuing conflicts within Sudan. In every second household across this country there is extreme “acute food insecurity”, says a recent UN-backed report
There have been many reports of sexual crimes committed by armed men since 15 April 2023 especially within Khartoum area and Darfur region. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which control most of western part includes major towns are accused of systematically perpetuating rape.
Some women say that soldiers are asking them to have sex in order for the women to be given access to empty houses where they can pick items to trade at the local market.
One woman described how she was raped by soldiers and then felt forced into stealing so as to survive and take care of her children. “I am not a thief,” she objected. “I wish my enemy could pass through what I passed through… I only did it because I wanted my children’s meal.”
Food aid provision has been problematic in Sudan, targeting the most vulnerable populations. However, none of the women interviewed by The Guardian had seen any international assistance reach their communities despite recent deliveries in Khartoum area reported by World Food Programme of the UN.
Another survivor, aged 21, said that she was tortured by soldiers after refusing their request for more sex from her. Earlier on, she had agreed to sleep with these men in exchange for an opportunity to loot several houses located within Western Omdurman.
However, when her brothers objected to looting she decided to stop. “I was told by the soldiers that I was full of myself for refusing to go with them,” said the woman, showing the burn marks on her legs.
Reports of women being forced into sex were confirmed by military officials and inhabitants of Omdurman. However, in one instance, a soldier testified that he had seen his colleagues taking advantage of women but denied ever participating in it himself.
He narrated an incident where a woman slept with soldiers who allowed her sisters into homes so they could steal. “It’s horrible,” declared the soldier, “the amount of evilness in this city will be forgiven never.”
A man from a neighborhood within west Omdurman claimed seeing soldiers enter abandoned houses belonging to people who had vacated their homes. “There are many women coming and standing in line outside our region”, he stated. “Soldiers let them into choose any house they want .Sometimes I hear someone scream but what can you do? Nothing,” he added.
