As the Security Council Sits in August, the RSF Militia Gets the Lion’s Share of the Atrocities!

By: Mohammed Osman Adam – Sudanhorizon
The United Nations Security Council will hold its annual open debate this August on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), under the title:
“Identifying Innovative Strategies to Ensure Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Access Life-Saving and Protection Services.”
Judging by the topics on the agenda, this session may prove devastating for the leaders and forces of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their backers. The use of sexual violence against women as a tool of oppression and stigma; the targeting and destruction of health facilities, civilian infrastructure, and institutions; the deliberate use of hunger; and the attacks on women, children, and vulnerable displaced populations—all are among the issues to be discussed. Given that the debate centres on ongoing armed conflicts and draws from reports by UN-appointed experts, it becomes abundantly clear who bears the greatest responsibility for these atrocities.
According to the Security Council’s official website, “In light of escalating armed conflicts, which often result in the destruction or deliberate targeting of vital healthcare infrastructure, Panama—Council President for August—intends to focus the open debate on the importance of ensuring non-discriminatory access to high-quality, multi-sectoral services for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.”
A UN advance note indicates that discussions will emphasise the continued importance of preventing, monitoring, and addressing CRSV, especially in light of transitions and the downsizing of UN peace operations. Emphasis will be placed on the role of local civil society organisations and women human rights defenders. Expected briefers include Pramila Patten, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and a representative from Sudanese civil society.
Key Developments
The UN Secretary-General’s annual reports define CRSV as “rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, forced sterilisation, forced marriage, and any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity against women, men, girls or boys, directly or indirectly linked to conflict.” The definition also includes trafficking for sexual violence and/or exploitation during conflict.
The 2025 report will cover the period January to December 2024 and serve as the basis for the August debate. According to remarks by Pramila Patten on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (June 2025), the UN has verified over 4,500 cases of CRSV—a 20% increase from 2023, which itself marked a 50% rise from 2022.
It is understood that the actual number of cases is far higher, as the figure reflects verified reports, not the total incidents. Women and girls account for 91% of the documented cases. Many of the cases outlined in this year’s annual report will likely form the basis of the Council’s discussion.
UN Report: CRSV is a Strategy of the RSF to Cement Control
The Security Council website states that, in line with Resolution 1960 (2010), this year’s report will again include an annex listing parties credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence in conflict.
As the number of verified CRSV incidents continues to rise, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains a focal point in the Secretary-General’s reports. In 2024, it is expected to record the highest number of verified cases.
A briefing note from the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), dated 26 March, reported that MONUSCO documented 823 CRSV incidents in the DRC in 2024, affecting 416 women, 391 girls, 7 boys, and nine men.
Non-state actors were responsible for 625 of the 823 documented cases. However, the note also commended the DRC government for positive steps in prosecuting CRSV by state actors, including “hundreds of legal actions” against FARDC soldiers.
Turning to Sudan, the advance report highlights that CRSV remains a grave concern amid the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF.
In 2024, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) documented 246 CRSV cases, affecting 140 women, 101 girls, and 5 men. According to the final report of the UN Panel of Experts on Sudan, which monitors developments under Resolution 1591, CRSV was part of the RSF’s strategy to consolidate control in areas under its influence, with widespread sexual violence against women and girls.
UN Women has also highlighted reports of targeted attacks on women human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and aid workers, aiming to silence documentation and reporting on gender-based violence and atrocities.
In a joint press release issued on 14 May 2025, numerous UN independent experts condemned the “widespread and systematic” violations against women and girls in Sudan, including CRSV, abduction, and murder, noting that many of the violations were attributed to the RSF.
In a statement on 4 June, Patten expressed deep concern about escalating levels of CRSV in Sudan. She noted that sexual violence is being used deliberately and systematically to assert dominance and punish communities, with survivors often attacked in their homes or in public. Patten further warned that survivors’ access to essential services remains extremely limited, due to widespread insecurity and the closure of critical healthcare facilities.
Key Issues and Policy Options
The primary concern remains the full and impartial implementation of Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).
With regard to this year’s debate, the deliberate destruction of healthcare facilities during armed conflict and the broader erosion of international humanitarian law are especially alarming. The Council’s failure to address these trends or advance peaceful solutions has had disastrous consequences for women, especially where Council members are directly involved in conflicts or support warring parties.
Council members could lead by example, suspending arms transfers where there is a risk of use in serious breaches of international law, including attacks on healthcare and gender-based violence. The Council could also impose or enforce arms embargoes.
If consensus is blocked, a coalition of like-minded Council members might issue a joint statement declaring a voluntary suspension of arms transfers, explicitly linking it to violations of international law and gender-based violence.
Council Dynamics
While there is broad agreement on the need to end CRSV, internal dynamics remain difficult.
The United States’ approach to WPS has shifted since President Donald Trump took office in 2017. During that period, the US sought to remove gender-related language from Council negotiations. While it rejoined WPS commitments in 2023, the US has not participated in recent joint press engagements on WPS.
Russia opposes the term “conflict-related sexual violence”, arguing it obscures sexual crimes that occur during peace as well as war, and that it broadens the Council’s mandate inappropriately—a stance rejected by most Council members and women’s rights organisations. Russia also objects to Patten’s participation in Council meetings.
The UK leads on drafting the WPS resolution, while the US handles the CRSV resolution. Denmark and Sierra Leone are co-chairs of the Independent Assessment on WPS.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=6774