Mass Rape in Darfur While Ali Karti Enjoys Good Relationship with US State Department

In February of 2015, the Human Rights Watch released a 48-page report regarding mass rape of women in Tabit, in Northern Darfur. More than 200 women and young girls were raped by Sudanese armed forces in October of 2014. The attacks were organized, and systematic. Women reported that the army troops would come into their homes and rape them one by one, mothers and daughters alike.

When the initial reports of the horrifying crime began to surface, global peacekeeping groups, such Human Rights Watch and the UN, were refused access to the town. These groups made an effort to gain access in order to conduct a thorough investigation of the claims, but security forces refused to let them in. Despite this setback, Human Rights Watch was able to speak to over 50 residents from Tabit over the phone, as well as verify their accounts of what happened. In fact, two army defectors privately informed Human Rights Watch that they were ordered to rape the women.

Not only were they denied access, but foreign governments and peacekeeping bodies were told that the reports of a mass rape did not exist. Ali Karti, the Sudanese Prime Minister, denied that any crime took place, despite very clear and contrary evidence. Even though the attacks were conducted by Sudanese army officers, and victims have come forward, the Prime Minister continues to turn a blind-eye and refuse to admit that this happened under his control.

Ali Karti’s blatant involvement in genocide hasn’t stopped the U.S. from treating him like a statesman. He has been already been allowed visas to come visit Washington twice this year where he indicated a wish for good relations. The U.S.’s friendly relations with Karti are worrying to say the least, especially given his denial that the mass rapes in Darfur occurred.

The president, Omar al-Bashir won reelection in early April 2015 which contradicted earlier statements made by the president, claiming he had not been planning to run again. While several Western countries criticized the elections for being unfair, ultimately, nothing was done to affect it. The ICC has an arrest warrant for Bashir because of his role in the genocide of people during the Darfur Conflict. However, in December of 2014, the investigation was dropped. Bashir is currently 71 years old.