Armed conflict in Sudan increases violence against children and leaves them unprotected

The report on children and armed conflict in Sudan reported 2,168 grave violations against 1,913 children in 2022 and 2023, a significant increase compared to the previous reporting period.

The most frequent violations included murder and mutilation (1,525 cases), recruitment and use of children in combat (277 cases) and sexual violence (153 cases). In addition, 33 children were abducted, and 118 schools and hospitals were attacked.

Shocking violence

The situation worsened dramatically after the outbreak of hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April last year.

Virginia Gamba, special representative of the General secretary of the UN on Children and Armed Conflict, was horrified by the violence.

“I am appalled by the level of violence affecting children, the Widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, including schools and medical facilities, and the lack of effective efforts by the parties to the conflict “to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to suffering populations, including children,” Gamba said, calling on the actors in the conflict to immediately commit to a lasting cessation of hostilities. “The future of children in Sudan depends on it,” he stressed.

Extreme need

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached catastrophic levels, with 14 million children in dire need of urgent aid and protection.

Starvation and the imminent risk of famine loom over the population while humanitarian efforts face significant obstacles.

In addition, some 19 million children are out of school, and many lack access to vital supplies and services such as food, water, shelter, electricity, education and health care, the report said.

Broken progress

The document also notes that the cessation of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) and the departure of its child protection staff have aggravated the crisis, reducing the capacity to monitor and report on serious violations against children.

This loss also hampers engagement with parties to the conflict and efforts to effectively address child protection needs.

Prior to the escalation in April 2023, some progress had been made, notably through a roadmap for 2021 that had achieved the development of a national framework for the release and reintegration of children.

Despite ongoing challenges and hostilities, the UN has remained engaged with all warring parties, the report said.