Rape and sexual violence remain part of everyday life in areas of Sudan even when fighting in the country's civil war has moved elsewhere, according to a new report by medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

Calling rape a defining feature of the conflict, it states that sexual assault is overwhelmingly perpetrated by armed men and is often accompanied by brutality and humiliation.

MSF claims that rape has become an insidious part of life for communities in western Darfur, even those no longer on the front lines of fighting.

The report represents one of the most comprehensive accounts of sexual violence in Sudan's nearly three-year war, based on testimonies from 3,396 victims who sought treatment in MSF-supported facilities between January 2024 and November 2025.

The warring factions, primarily Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are both accused of committing sexual violence, with a significant number of survivors identifying RSF fighters as the attackers.

Highlighting cases from the conflict hotbed of North Darfur, the report notes that over 90% of victims were assaulted while fleeing to safety, often experiencing extreme violence and intimidation during their journeys.

MSF stresses the need for a humanitarian response to the plight of survivors and calls for accountability. The humanitarian crisis and sexual abuse continue to reflect the deep-seated issues escalating in Sudan amidst shifting battle lines.