An evangelical church in Sudan has been set on fire by Islamists and others are being attacked as violence continues to grip the country.
The Sudanese Army and paramilitary group the Rapid Support Force (RSF) are fighting for control on the streets of capital Khartoum. Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded. And Sudanese Christians are finding themselves caught up in the conflict. Among others, worshippers at the Blessed Church in Omdurman who were shot at recently. Both sides blamed each other for the attack.
Several churches have been attacked or looted. Bahri Evangelical Church was set on fire by Islamists, also damaging the Theological College of the Nile and its evangelical school located in the same compound. One pastor was kidnapped and held for two days.
The United Nations says the number of internally displaced people is rising to over 700,000, leading to further fears of escalating violence despite the ceasefire talks being held in Saudi Arabia. Many Christians have fled to South Sudan, Egypt or Ethiopia.
Christian TV station SAT-7 press officer Lindsay Shaw spoke by phone to Pastor Yahya, who is in a very dangerous part of Khartoum, while gunfire sounded in the background.
Yahya said: ‘Khartoum has become a ghost town. Many are missing, dead or displaced. There is no traffic due to lack of fuel and the dangers of travelling. There is looting by criminal gangs.
‘Churches in Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman cannot meet at all. There is no transport or electricity. Some meet online when there is electricity for the internet, although some internet companies have stopped working.
‘Christians who have a high profile face additional risks. Islamist groups are targeting well-known Christians – church leaders and those active in the media.’
