Sexual violence part of 'everyday life' in Sudan

This episode of Focus on Africa sheds light on two critical crises: the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan, and the economic fallout from U.S. tariff policies on Lesotho's textile industry. In Sudan, medical charity MSF reports over 3,000 survivors of sexual violence treated in North and South Darfur between January 2024 and November 2025, with the vast majority of perpetrators identified as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters. Testimonies from survivors in Tawila reveal harrowing accounts of rape, torture, and ethnic targeting, with sexual violence occurring not only in conflict zones but also within displacement camps meant to be safe. Humanitarian worker Gloria Endreau emphasizes the ongoing nature of these crimes, the barriers to care, and the lack of accountability that enables their continuation. In Lesotho, the episode examines the devastating impact of a 50% U.S. tariff on its garment sector, later reduced to 15%, which led to 4,000 job losses and deepened poverty. Despite the reduction, experts like economist Tabo Kesi note no recovery due to competition from countries with lower tariffs, and the country’s overreliance on a single export sector has left it vulnerable. The crisis has also fueled gender-based violence and weakened social stability, with no government stimulus in place. The episode concludes with calls for economic diversification, particularly into agriculture, and regional trade integration through SACU and AfCFTA to build resilience. Key takeaways include: (1) Sexual violence in Sudan is not incidental but a strategic, ongoing tool of ethnic cleansing and war, requiring urgent international accountability; (2) Lesotho’s economy remains dangerously dependent on a single export sector, making it highly vulnerable to external shocks; (3) Tariff reductions alone are insufficient without broader economic reforms and diversification; (4) Gender-based violence is a hidden consequence of economic collapse; (5) Regional trade integration offers a viable path to economic resilience; (6) Humanitarian workers like Gloria Endreau are essential but under-resourced in conflict zones; (7) Lack of government stimulus exacerbates suffering in crisis-affected communities; (8) Climate-smart agriculture could be a transformative solution for Lesotho’s future.