Public anger has erupted in Tabbat, al Jazira State, in central Sudan following a brutal sexual assault against an eight year old girl, an incident that has deeply shaken the local community and prompted calls for swift and fair justice.
According to residents and eyewitnesses cited by media, the attack took place in the village of Um Bousha, in rural Tabbat near the city of al Hassahisa. The assault reportedly occurred while the child’s mother was briefly away, and was discovered upon her return.
Local sources said the suspect is a 21 year old man described as one of the “mobilised fighters” operating alongside SAF, and is originally from Um Bousha village in Tabbat locality.
Community figures stressed that the accused is not a long time resident of the town, warning of the dangers posed by the presence of undisciplined armed individuals under the banner of mobilisation inside residential areas.
Activists have called for thorough reviews of the backgrounds of these individuals, arguing that their presence without strict oversight has become a direct threat to the safety of families and children.
The incident has also revived discussion around repeated violations in the region. Residents recalled a confirmed case involving the rape of a boy in the Tamboul area, where official complaints were filed and investigations established the involvement of mobilised fighters and other armed elements. These cases have heightened fears of the spread of impunity under the protection of weapons.
On social media, commentators have linked the rise in such crimes to the spread of drug and alcohol use among some armed formations. They called for these elements to be removed from populated towns and villages, and for the strictest legal penalties to be applied against anyone who violates the dignity and safety of civilians.
