Threats to local Christians increase as the conflict in Sudan continues, but there are still signs of Jesus’ hopeful presence in the region. Martial law has been in place for almost seven months.
According to our industry partners, the situation is shocking. They ask that we not leave our Sudanese family out of our prayers.
By mid-October, the war had claimed at least 9,000 lives and forced 5.6 million people to flee. According to the UN, the situation in Sudan is “one of the biggest humanitarian nightmares in recent history.”
International and African humanitarian organizations fear that the aid received for the millions of refugees is not enough. It is feared that they will not receive the help they need most.
Persecuted during the war
Sudan is ranked 10th in the 2023 World Watchlist Persecution Report. This makes the country an extremely difficult place for Christians to live, even in good times.
According to Open Doors field partner Fikiru*, more than 165 churches have been closed and at least 15 have been destroyed in the early months of the conflict in Sudan. Churches also report daily human rights violations such as rape, kidnapping of girls and looting of property.
“The situation is only getting worse and the Sudanese are suffering,” he says.
“It does not seem that the war will end soon. Until now, the ceasefires between the warring parties have not lasted long. More worryingly, the handling of human rights issues has not improved and neither side is ready to end hostilities.”
“Christians in Sudan are particularly vulnerable and suffer,” Fikiru confirms.
“We ask that the churches in different parts of the world do not get tired and forget to pray for the situation in Sudan. We know there are a lot of bad things going on in the world, but don’t forget your sisters and brothers in Sudan.”
What is the conflict about?
The conflict continues between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedt). The groups collaborated to overthrow Sudanese dictator Omar Al-Bashir in 2019.
However, the power struggle began when plans came to light to put the RSF in charge of the army.
The conflict started in the capital, Khartoum, but has spread beyond it. The Independent Catholic News reports that the violence has spread to South Kordofan and Al-Nil al-Azraq states. This has affected the already vulnerable Christian communities in the region.
“There are still Christians in war zones who have no way to escape, who are suffering and we cannot help them,” Fikiru tells me. “It is very difficult for us, they are part of the body of Christ.”
Faithful nuns as mediators of hope
But God’s work has also been seen in the midst of chaos.
Many vulnerable people, such as children, the elderly, the disabled and the sick, cannot escape. Seven Catholic nuns have taken them to live in their home and church. They have given them safe shelter, food and medicine.
Another OD local foreign contact lives with his family in the nuns’ church. He says that one night the children in the shelter had asked the nuns if they could participate in the nuns’ prayer.
“It was pitch black because the neighborhood had not had electricity for months. They gathered together and prayed for peace in Sudan. What a beautiful testimony of God’s supernatural peace in the midst of a war zone! Jesus has shown his presence and care.”
“[The nuns] give water from the well, because in many places the wells have dried up since the start of the war,” she explains.
“The nuns also have a generator that they use for an hour a day. So some of us can charge our phones.”
The risks facing Christians are increasing
“One of the nuns told me that she believes they were sent as missionaries, not just messengers: that’s why we live with the Sudanese, Christians or not, in times of joy and sorrow.”
This is indeed a sad time for Christians in Sudan. Open Doors estimates that there are approximately 2 million Christians in Sudan. In an already complex conflict, reports say radical Islamists have joined the fight and the threat to Christians is increasing.
Fikiru confirms reports. “Our contacts in the country have made it clear that [radical Muslims] are openly asking people to join the Sudanese armed forces in the fight against the RSF,” he says.
“Other sources say that some of these [soldiers] or self-righteous forces are former members of Al-Bashir’s party and security forces.”
*Name changed for security reasons.
Source: Rukousvetoomus sodan keskeltä: ”Älä unohda sisariasi ja veljiäsi Sudanissa” | Open Doors Finland
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