In the Al Jazirah state of central-southeast Sudan, dozens of Christians hold secret prayer services whenever they can.
They’ve had to hide their worship services amid the civil war in the country, especially after an attack by the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organization formerly operated by the Sudanese government, on the Sudanese Church of Christ in Al Jazirah on Dec. 30, 2024. The attack left at least 14 people, including women and children, seriously injured.
“The soldiers destroyed our church and vowed to eliminate all Christians,” a Sudanese Christian — who asked not to be identified — said by phone. “They warned us against gathering for worship, so we have been doing it in secret to prevent their agents from reporting us.”
Rival factions pose a threat
Christians face threats from both rival factions of the military government currently at war. Both have vowed to eliminate all Christians in the northeastern African country, which has a population of more than 49 million.
About 5.4% of the population identifies as Christian, while 91% are Muslim, and a small percentage follow Indigenous religions.
Attacks on Christians’ and other faiths’ places of worship, including mosques, have escalated across the country. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reported in April 2024 more than 150 churches have been damaged since the war began in 2023.
These attacks have prompted condemnation from the international community, faith-based organizations, human rights groups and religious leaders.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Tonny Omyulo and originally published by Baptist Standard and Religion News Service.
