The Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) challenged a government decision in late August to impose an unelected leadership committee on the church, which only came to light when church leaders were arrested.
The Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments, which oversees religious affairs in Sudan, appointed an alternative Executive Committee of the SCOC, led by Mr Angelo Alzaki, to manage church affairs. Eight senior SCOC leaders were arrested and charged with trespassing on the church headquarters and refusing to hand over control of the church to Mr Alzaki. They were released on bail later that day.
Seven of the eight leaders arrested, including Kwa Shamaal, head of missions at the SCOC, are members of the SCOC Executive Committee which was elected by the church and leads the denomination in operational and spiritual matters.
