They are caught in a deadly crossfire.
Christians in Sudan are facing severe challenges amid ongoing conflict between two warring military factions, each accusing the Christian community of supporting the other. In Al Thora Mobe village in Gezira state, southeast of Khartoum, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are reportedly coercing local Christians to convert to Islam. The RSF has maintained control over this area since December, and they threaten anyone attempting to escape by branding them as supporters of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
The situation for displaced Christians is dire. Recently, 26 men, mostly Christians, were arbitrarily detained by SAF military intelligence in Shendi, River Nile state, under suspicion of aiding the RSF. While 14 of these individuals were released shortly after their arrest, 12 remain in custody without formal charges. Many of those detained belong to the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) and were forced to flee due to escalating violence in their home areas. Reports indicate that the arrested men faced harassment and physical abuse during their detainment, further aggravating the humanitarian crisis for their families, who now live in overcrowded conditions at a church facility in Shendi.
The arrested individuals were separated from their families during the detention process, leaving women and children without support. The conditions of their detention are alarming, as the Almudada Unit of Military Intelligence is known for its harsh treatment of detainees, including torture. CSW expressed deep concern over the unjust nature of these detentions, calling for the immediate release of those still held and highlighting the broader implications for human rights in the region.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023 between the RSF and SAF, leading to the displacement of over 10 million people, with 7.9 million internally displaced. Tensions have been exacerbated by failed attempts to reach a democratic transition following the 2021 military coup that ousted the previous civilian-led government. The RSF, rooted in the notorious Janjaweed militias, and the SAF, led by Gen. Abdelfattah al-Burhan, are both trying to maintain power while presenting themselves as pro-democracy leaders to the international community.
As the violence continues, attacks on Christian communities have intensified. In Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List, Sudan ranked eighth among countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, highlighting a deterioration in religious freedom since the coup. Following a brief period of improvement after the fall of the Islamist regime in 2019, fears of repressive Islamic law have resurfaced, putting the estimated 2 million Christians in Sudan at greater risk amid the escalating conflict.