ICJ KENYA PRESS STATEMENT: COMMEMORATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT – JUSTICE FOR SUDAN’S SURVIVORS REMAINS NON-NEGOTIABLE

As the United Nations commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the ICJ- Kenya stands in solidarity with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan and across the world, while renewing its call for accountability, justice, and reparations for victims and survivors of these grave violations.

The 15th day of April, 2026, marked three years into the devastating conflict in Sudan. Reports from international and regional human rights mechanisms including the UN and the Joint AU/ACHPR’s Fact Finding Missions to Sudan, civil society organizations, humanitarian actors and survivors continue to reveal the widespread and systematic acts of sexual violence perpetrated against women, girls, men, and boys during the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These violations include gang rape, sexual slavery, forced marriages, rape, sexual exploitation, and other forms of gender-based violence.

Most of these sexual violations amount to serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Conflict-related sexual violence has been used not only as a weapon of war but also as a means of terrorising communities, displacing populations, and undermining the dignity, security and fundamental rights of individuals. Women and girls have borne a disproportionate burden of these atrocities, while survivors continue to face immense barriers in accessing justice, medical care, psychosocial support, and protection.

ICJ Kenya is very concerned by the persistent culture of impunity surrounding these violations. The failure to effectively investigate and prosecute perpetrators risks normalising sexual violence as an inevitable consequence of an armed conflict and perpetuates cycles of abuse and trauma.

Sexual violence in conflict is not an unavoidable by-product of war but rather a serious violation of international law and a grave assault on human dignity. Survivors deserve justice, reparations, and protection, while perpetrators must be held accountable regardless of their affiliation, position or rank.

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