Christians in Sudan Face Severe Hardship Amid Ongoing Conflict
Sudan’s Christian community, totaling about two million, is suffering greatly as a result of the two-year civil war. Many Christians are resorting to eating animal feed and even grass to survive, as reported by local sources.
According to the organization Open Doors, Sudan ranks as the fifth-worst country in the world for the persecution of Christians. The war, which began in April 2023, has displaced between 13 to 15 million people and led to roughly 150,000 fatalities. The fighting continues between the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), with tensions rooted in the political upheaval that followed the 2019 removal of President Omar al-Bashir.
With Christians making up around 4% of Sudan’s population, they find themselves in a particularly desperate situation. Alongside the food shortages experienced by all Sudanese, Christians face ongoing discrimination and mistreatment from both sides of the conflict.
A senior Sudanese church leader, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, shared that Christians are viewed as enemies by both opposing factions. “Even humanitarian organizations have restrictions on who receives aid, often sidelining Christians,” he explained. “Many have been told, ‘Convert or go hungry.’”
Mariam Wahba, a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that since the conflict began, more than 165 churches have had to close. Reports indicate that the RSF stormed Khartoum’s Anglican cathedral, turning it into a military base, while SAF airstrikes have damaged churches like the Al Ezba Baptist Church.
Wahba further described how RSF fighters have targeted Christian communities, particularly in central Sudan, where acts of violence against places of worship have escalated. One church was set ablaze, and there have been alarming reports of militants forcing conversions to Islam in exchange for support and safety.
The situation for Christians is dire. The church leader mentioned that in El Fasher, they have resorted to eating animal feed due to food scarcity and lack of medical supplies, fearing even minor illnesses could be deadly.
A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department commented on the worsening conditions, highlighting that the conflict has severely impacted fundamental freedoms, including religious freedom for minority groups like Christians.
The spokesperson emphasized the U.S. commitment to preventing the return of oppressive regimes and protecting religious freedoms in Sudan.
Today, many Christians in Sudan feel hopeless. The church leader lamented that even praying together in homes is forbidden in some areas. Despite this, he expressed faith that positive change could come: “We pray that the church remains a light in our nation.”
