United Nations, October 30 (RHC)-- Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have committed “staggering” levels of sexual violence, raping civilians and kidnapping women as sex slaves, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.  That’s according to a new report by a U.N. fact-finding mission.  

Sudan’s 18-month war between the RSF and Sudanese military has uprooted more than 14 million people — the world’s largest displacement crisis. U.N. experts are calling on the International Criminal Court to expand its jurisdiction and investigate possible war crimes committed beyond the region of Darfur. 

A previous U.N. mission said both the RSF and Sudanese army may be guilty of atrocities committed during the conflict. 

Amy Pope, director-general of the International Organization for Migration, speaking from Port Sudan, said: “The situation here is simply catastrophic.  There’s no other way to put it.  We’re seeing hunger, disease, sexual violence.  They’re rampant.  And for the people of Sudan, they’re telling us it’s really just a living nightmare.”

[ SOURCE: DEMOCRACY NOW ]