The Sudanese Army’s Role in Empowering the Islamic Movement and Women’s Rights in Conflict Zones

The last few years have seen significant enhancement of the Sudanese Armed Forces by Islamic movements including the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood inside Sudanese territory. This strategic alignment allowed the incorporation of Islamic principles in governance, education and the media thus, the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood has remained critical owing to its ideologies coupled with a wide range of support and where the power struggle within Sudan has sometimes interfered with conflict in regions such as Al Jazira. 

One of the places most affected by turmoil and dissent is Al Jazriah where these movements have gained more Popular Resistance Forces (PRF) which have appeared in large numbers and are strongly allied with the Sudanese army. This marks both a military and an ideological shifting of war. The PRF on the front line alongside the Sudanese army has proven to be a valuable asset to the broader goals of the Islamic Movement that will dictate the course of national politics in the future. 

In this political context, women’s rights organizations in Sudan have been the first to fight against sexual harassment and gender-based violence. These organizations have been instrumental in supporting legal reforms and survivors of such violence. 

Yet the situation is critical. Reports from various regions of the globe have shown that Government law enforcement agents are committing sexual violence against women protestors to intimidate them into silence under the pretext of laws not having been passed to criminalize rape and all forms of sexual and gender based violence that breeds impunity.

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In response, women’s rights organizations are continuing their activism for comprehensive legal reforms while also providing critical support to survivors. Their work engages in the critical micropolitical battle against impunity by striving toward a social milieu in which women’s rights are upheld and protected.