Country Detains 19 In Alarming Religious Sweep
In the city of Madani, Sudan, several Christians were arrested by security forces linked to the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). Among those arrested were members of different churches affiliated with the Sudan Council of Churches. At least 19 Christians were detained in Madani during January and February. On January 21, seven individuals were arrested while traveling to a thanksgiving prayer meeting organized by the Inter-Church Committee. These Christians were accused of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been in conflict with the SAF since April 2023.
The arrested Christians, including individuals named Akech Otin, Abraham John, and others, were initially held in the Joint Military Cell in Madani, where they were interrogated for a week before being transferred to Madani Prison. Church leaders and local sources denied any connections between the detained Christians and the RSF, calling for their release. Additionally, 12 Christians from the town of Wad Rawah, located 58 miles from Madani, were also arrested under similar accusations. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
The arrests are part of a broader campaign targeting Christian communities in Sudan, described by human rights groups as systematic persecution. Sudan’s military government passed a law in 2024 granting extensive powers and immunity to intelligence officers, which has led to arbitrary arrests without legal recourse. The law allows intelligence officers to detain and interrogate individuals without facing criminal prosecution, further enabling the crackdown on Christian communities.
Since the military coup in October 2021, Sudan has experienced increased violence and instability, with Christians facing intensified persecution. The civil war that erupted in April 2023 has worsened conditions for religious minorities, with churches being attacked and Christians being accused of siding with opposing forces. Despite brief progress in religious freedom after the 2019 ousting of President Omar al-Bashir, the return of military rule has reignited fears of state-sponsored persecution. Sudan remains one of the most challenging countries for Christians, with around 2 million Christians living under harsh conditions in a predominantly Muslim nation.