UN urges action against sexual violence amid conflict in Sudan

Gulf Today Report

UN Women has voiced concern over the dire impact of Sudan's ongoing violent conflict on women and girls and called for immediate action against sexual violence.

"UN Women joins our partners in expressing our grave concern over the continued conflict in Sudan. As in all crises, this will surely have dire and disproportionate impacts on the lives of Sudanese women and girls," UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said in a statement late Friday.

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We stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan and remain committed to supporting them," she added.

Bahous noted that reports of sexual and gender-based violence "are already surfacing", fearing that "they will only grow more frequent", reports Xinhua news agency

"The resilience of Sudanese women is a source of hope, their role in the pursuit of peace essential, their strength as humanitarian workers, carers and protectors an inspiration. We must heed their calls for a ceasefire and peace and commit to supporting them in everything they do," she said.

"UN Women calls on all parties to ensure that no woman or girl is affected by these crimes, and on all actors to spare no effort to mitigate the increased risk."

Bahous joined UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in urging immediate ceasefire in Sudan during Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, so as to allow for "the continued delivery of essential humanitarian assistance and a return to dialogue".

Running out of food and water

The fighting has made it difficult for Sudanese people to leave their homes to obtain supplies or join the droves departing Khartoum. "An increasing number of people are running out of food, water, and power, including in Khartoum," the UN humanitarian office said.

People walk as they look for water in Khartoum, Sudan, on Friday. Reuters

Khartoum resident Mohamed Saber Turaby, 27, had wanted to visit his parents 80 km (50 miles) from the city for the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday.

"Every time I try to leave the house, there are clashes," he said. "There was shelling last night and now there is presence of army forces on the ground."

Army troops brandishing semi-automatic weapons were greeted by cheers on one street, a video released by the military on Friday showed. Reuters verified the location of the video, in the north of the city, but could not verify when it was filmed.