Nairobi, Kenya
Evangelist James Kuwa is unable to continue his ministry in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, as his church, along with hundreds of others, has faced ongoing attacks.
“We are unable to gather for services and worship God due to attacks on places of worship,” he stated. He pointed out that even mosques have been attacked and some have been occupied and converted into command centers by soldiers from various factions.
“Worshippers are afraid to attend church, which is impacting our spiritual lives. Some have even been killed or forcefully converted to Islam.”
St Matthew’s Cathedral in Khartoum in an undated image. PICTURE: Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock
Many believers, including Christians and Muslims in this north-east African country, are staying at home and forgoing communal worship due to the increasing number of attacks by the parties to the country’s civil war – the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) or the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
Religious leaders have emphasised that attacks on places of worship, where civilians gather to pray or seek refuge, are serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. A civil war between two major rival factions of the military government has displaced over 14 million people. Reports from United Nations agencies indicate that sexual violence is occurring on a staggering scale.
According to estimates from the 2020 Pew Research Center, 5.4 per cent of Sudan’s population of over 50.4 million people identify as Christian, while 91 per cent are Sunni Muslims.
“The emerging reports of extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, the targeting of civilians and looting are deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” said Mervyn Thomas, founder president of CSW, a UK-based Christian human rights organisation standing with those facing injustice for their beliefs and advocating for Freedom of Religion or Belief.
“All parties to the conflict must be pressured to protect civilians in accordance with their obligations under international law. Additionally, steps must be taken to stem the proliferation of arms into Sudan and to penalise those responsible for this.”
Religious leaders have highlighted a troubling trend: the devastating impact of the civil war between the SAF and RSF on places of worship. Since the conflict began in Sudan last April, reports indicate that over 150 churches have been damaged or destroyed, alongside numerous mosques.
This urgent situation has been documented by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), underscoring the need for immediate attention and action to protect religious freedoms in the region.
The ongoing conflict has tragically claimed more than 13,000 lives, with armed groups specifically targeting houses of worship and other sacred sites, as reported by USCIRF.
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In October, for example, a Christian human rights foundation reported that Sheikh El Jeili Mosque was bombed during the conflict between SAF and RSF.
In November, 2023, the largest church in Omdurman was targeted and bombed by the SAF, highlighting the alarming trend of violence against places of worship. Meanwhile, the RSF have continued their campaign of attacking churches, threatening the very foundations of peace and coexistence in the community.
“Churches have come under attack, highlighting a grave threat to religious freedom,” said catechist Paul Kuku of the Archdiocese of Khartoum. “The Coptic Cathedral of Khartoum has not only been occupied but turned into a command center, while the Coptic Cathedral of Omdurman suffered looting and violence.”
“We urge the fighting factions to avoid targeting places of worship during their attacks, allowing people the freedom to go there and worship God,” he said. “It is unfortunate for us Christians to live in a situation where we cannot go to church to worship alongside others or seek refuge there.”
