Brussels, 25 July 2025
ALL EYES ON SUDAN
Gender-based violence is not collateral damage. It’s a weapon of war.
Since April 2023, Sudan has plunged into the world’s largest humanitarian crisis — and women and girls are paying the highest price.
The Reality:
- Over 61,000 civilians killed
- More than 11 million displaced — 70% are women and children
- Widespread use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war
- Documented mass atrocities in West Darfur, targeting Massalit women
Foreign Complicity:
- The RSF continues to receive arms and funding — notably from the UAE and Wagner-linked actors
- These weapons are used to commit systematic rape, torture, and war crimes
EU’s Position:
- The EU has condemned the violence and called for humanitarian access
- It has adopted four sanctions packages targeting individuals and entities responsible for atrocities
- But words and partial measures are not enough
The EU has international commitments under CEDAW, the Istanbul Convention, and the Geneva Conventions to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in conflict. It also has legal obligations through the EU Gender Action Plan III, the Human Rights Sanctions Regime, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights to act, protect, and hold perpetrators accountable.
What Must Happen Now:
- Impose a comprehensive arms embargo
- Sanction foreign enablers funding armed groups
- Prioritize direct support to local, women-led survivor services
- Ensure gender-based violence is central to international justice and accountability
GBV in Sudan is not inevitable. It is deliberate — and failure to stop it is a political choice.
The EU must move beyond condemnation to coordinated, consistent action.
