MAYSA AL-QADİ

Sudan – Due to the conflicts that broke out in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023, more than 5,000 people have been killed and at least 4.6 million have been displaced in the country. Sudanese feminist activists say that women have paid the heaviest price for the ongoing conflicts and call for an immediate end of the conflicts.

‘Conflicts are the result of political failure’

Feminist activist Wiam Shawqi is one of the internally displaced from Khartoum due to the ongoing conflicts in the city. She thinks the conflicts are the result of political failure of the authorities. “The population has decreased, the cases of murder, violence, rape, kidnapping of women and selling women in markets have become common,” said Wiam Shawqi, emphasizing that the conflicts may result in racism. “We are afraid that these conflicts will turn into conflicts between tribes. Feminists and politicians have made great efforts to prevent this. However, they try to block all ways. If conflicts continue, Sudan will lose its national rights and turn into a state dependent on foreign powers, which look after their own interests.”

‘Women have paid the heaviest price’

Speaking about the rumors saying that those who do not want the war have formed an alliance with the Rapid Support Forces, Wiam Shawqi said, “We, as women, have paid the heaviest price of this war. Women are killed, raped, displaced and kidnapped. Those who refuse to negotiate are closed-minded. Justice does not happen overnight, it takes time.”

‘A ceasefire should be announced now’

Feminist activist Aitzaz Bekri Abdullah, who lives in North Kordofan state of Sudan, demands an immediate ceasefire. “No to war, yes to peace,” she said in her speech. Emphasizing that all Sudanese men and women and the international community should be aware that the first victims of this war are displaced women, she said:

“They leave their homeland with their children and know nothing about their future. The internally displaced people and the people, who fled the country to neighboring countries are in great shock because they did not expect that the war would break out and they would leave their homes and be displaced. This war must be stopped immediately. As Sudanese men and women, we should raise our voices to stop this war. We call on the regional and international community and neighboring countries to support us in order to stop this war.”