Source: www.persecution.org
Date: May 15, 2023
Sudan (International Christian Concern)—Five worshipers, including a priest, were injured during mass on Sunday, May 14, during an attack on the Mar Girgis Church in Omdurman.
Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the attack, while the RSF said that an “extremist” affiliate of the army was responsible.
On Sunday, the United Nations reported that at least 676 people have been killed and 5,576 injured since April 15 when fighting broke out between military units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support (RSF) headed by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
After regularly being included among the worst countries in the world for Christian persecution, Sudan was removed from the U.S. Department of State’s list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) in December 2019. The CPC list designates nations that tolerate or engage in egregious violations of religious freedom. Advances in religious freedom lasted for only two years, however, until a military coup in October 2021.
The coup brought back fears of repression and harsh implementation of Islamic law. An Islamist “deep state” rooted in former President al-Bashir’s 30 years of power remains influential. The recent violence follows weeks of rising tensions between the two forces over security force reform during negotiations for a new transitional government.
Please join International Christian Concern (ICC) in praying for those suffering from the violence in Sudan.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for peace between conflicting groups in Sudan. Pray for healing for those who were injured in this incident. Pray for protection for this congregation from future attacks.