Authorities Prohibit Christians From Attending Church
Authorities in Sudan blocked a Christmas celebration planned by internally displaced Christians in the town of Wadi Halfa, in the Northern state, despite previous assurances from officials. Security forces at a park where the displaced Christians had set up shelters informed them that they required written approval to hold the service, contradicting earlier verbal approval from a National Security official. The church had requested permission on December 21 to celebrate Christmas in the park, and while they were told verbally that the event could proceed, they were cautioned against using sound equipment. However, on the day of the celebration, authorities insisted on written permission.
Pastor Mugadam Shraf Aldin Hassan of the United Church of Smyrna, who was involved in organizing the event, explained that security officials demanded written approval despite the prior verbal clearance. They were also ordered to report to a military office, where they were interrogated and had their notebooks searched. The church submitted three requests for permission—one from an inter-church committee and two from the United Church of Smyrna—hoping to receive the necessary approval, but no response came from the authorities.
Christian attorney and human rights advocate Shinbago Mugadum pointed out that Sudan, as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), was violating Article 18, which guarantees freedom of religion, and Article 21, which protects the right to peaceful assembly. Mugadum urged Sudanese authorities to treat all religions fairly and stop harassing Christians.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in significant violence and displacement. Both factions have accused Christians of supporting their respective enemies, escalating attacks against the Christian community. The ongoing violence has left over 12 million people displaced, contributing to the worsening human rights situation.
Sudan’s ranking on the Open Doors 2024 World Watch List has risen to No. 8, indicating an increase in Christian persecution. This is a stark contrast to the progress made after the ousting of former dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, which initially led to improvements in religious freedom. However, the military coup in 2021 has brought back fears of a return to harsh Islamist laws, negatively impacting religious minorities in Sudan.