8 Sudan

Persecution Type

Islamic oppression (Very strong)
Dictatorial paranoia (Very strong)
Organized corruption and crime (Strong)
Clan oppression (Strong)
Ethno-religious hostility (Strong)

Christian population

2,013,000

Government

Presidential Republic

Main Religion

Islam

Leader

Gen. Abd-al-Fatah al-Burhan Abd-al-Rahman

What does persecution look like in Sudan?

A devastating conflict that broke out in April 2023 is threatening to further undermine the positive steps made towards religious freedom following the ousting of Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

The crisis stems from a power struggle between the National Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). More than 9,000 people have been killed and nearly 6 million displaced. More than 165 churches have closed and others have been destroyed. Churches have also reported human rights violations such as rape, kidnap and looting.

There are long-term concerns that the conflict will give Islamic extremists a renewed foothold in the country, undoing the reforms made by the transitional civilian government which gave more freedom to Christians, including abolishing the apostasy law and removing Islam as the state religion.

More immediately, those who convert to Christianity from Muslim backgrounds continue to face huge dangers. Some will even refrain from telling their children about Jesus, for fear they may inadvertently disclose their parents’ faith to the local community.

What changed this year?

Much has changed this year—and it’s not positive. “Christians in Sudan are especially vulnerable and on the receiving end in war times,” says an Open Doors research expert for East Africa. This has been borne out by the considerable number of churches either closed or damaged, and the many Christians who have suffered attacks. All of this comes alongside the oppression experienced by those who have chosen to leave Islam for Christianity.

How can I pray?

For an end to the violence in Sudan and for provision for Christians who have been displaced
For strength and protection for brave believers who risk so much to serve others during the conflict
That the positive steps towards religious freedom will not be undone, but built upon.

SUDAN

Home / Country Profiles / Sudan

Arabs, Africans, Muslims, Christians: the cultural mix is complicated, but the government is strictly implementing a policy of one religion, culture and language.

Sudan

World Watch List Rank	8
World Watch List Score	82.99 /100
Last year’s rank	13
Persecution Type	Islamic oppression (Very strong), Dictatorial paranoia (Very strong), Organized  corruption and crime (Strong), Clan oppression (Strong)
Leader	Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
Population	45,992,000
Christians	2,000,000 Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)
Main Religion	Islam
Government	Presidential Republic
Region	Africa
Persecution Level	Extreme Persecution

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Soudan | RANG N° 6

Le régime autoritaire du président Al-Béchir ne respecte ni l’État de droit, ni la liberté de presse, ni la liberté d’expression. Bien que la Constitution garantisse la liberté de religion, la plupart des lois promeuvent une application stricte de la charia. Il est par exemple interdit de quitter l’islam. L’armée lutte contre des rebelles au Darfour, au sud Kordofan et dans le Nil Bleu.

Situation des chrétiens

On compte des chrétiens appartenant à différentes dénominations et mouvements : catholiques romains, coptes orthodoxes, protestants, membres de l’Église épiscopale du Soudan et de l’Église soudanaise du Christ. Il y a aussi quelques chrétiens d’arrière-plan musulman.

Dans le cadre de la politique d’arabisation et d’islamisation du pays menée par le gouvernement, les chrétiens sont stigmatisés et discriminés, leurs églises sont détruites. Les dirigeants chrétiens sont arrêtés sur la base de fausses accusations et inculpés. La situation est encore plus grave pour les chrétiens d’arrière-plan musulman. Ils vivent leur foi en secret. S’ils sont découverts, ils risquent la mort pour apostasie. L’influence de l’islam radical est de plus en plus grande, et particulièrement depuis l’indépendance du Sud-Soudan en 2011.

Le christianisme est arrivé au Soudan au IV^e siècle. Pendant près de 1000 ans, le pays était majoritairement chrétien. Au XV^e siècle, le pays s’islamise avec l’invasion arabe.

Exemples de persécution

11 février 2018 — Dans la banlieue de Khartoum, l’Église évangélique presbytérienne (SPEC) est entièrement détruite. Le culte venait de se terminer quand la police a fait irruption pour confisquer les biens matériels de l’église et laisser les ouvriers démolir le bâtiment. Les responsables de l’assemblée étaient encore dans l’attente d’une décision de justice après le plan gouvernemental de démolition de 27 églises. La SPEC est la troisième à être ainsi détruite.

13 octobre 2018 — Dix chrétiens ont été détenus huit jours sans cause au Darfour et neuf d’entre eux ont été battus. Tous ont subi des pressions pour renier leur foi. Trois autres ont été remis en liberté rapidement.

Autres groupes religieux persécutés

Juifs, bahaïs, témoins de Jéhovah, musulmans chiites.

Taux de persécution par domaines

Le haut niveau de pression dans la sphère ecclésiale traduit les efforts du gouvernement pour démolir les églises et arrêter les chrétiens. Le Soudan est devenu un pays où les chrétiens souffrent de sérieuses restrictions à leur liberté de pratiquer leur foi, tant individuellement que collectivement.

Évolution de la persécution depuis cinq ans

Ces dernières années la pression s’est maintenue à un niveau extrême dans les domaines de la vie civile et ecclésiale, démontrant bien que la persécution est systémique, organisée par l’État et qu’elle vise en priorité les églises.

Prayer: Church in Sudan Caught in the Crossfire

10th Nov 2023

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On Friday, November 3 around 6:30am, a bomb fell on the mission house of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco in Khartoum, El-Shajarah. Since the…

Update: Conflict in Sudan continues

31st Jul 2023

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As the conflict in Sudan continues, the danger for God’s people is growing—but there are still signs that Jesus is at work.As the war in…

Fighting erupts in Sudan: Q&A with an expert

19th Apr 2023

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With two government coups in four years, Sudan is far from stable. The latest unrest broke out this week with renewed fighting in multiple locations,…

Christian couple facing charges in Sudan

11th Oct 2022

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A Christian couple from Sudan needs our prayers as they stand accused of apostasy now, on top of their past charges of adultery, despite the…

Pressure on Christians continues with harassment and court cases

11th Jul 2022

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Sudan’s Christians fear their country is sliding back into the control of Islamists after last year’s coup, and recent incidents indicate they might be right.…

Prison Power 1: Micaiah

27th Apr 2021

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Ahab was king of Israel, and he was evil. He was a murderer and a greedy, deceitful King - and he despised the Lord's chosen…

Sudan government ends thirty years of Islamic Law

30th Sep 2020

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Sudan’s transitional government has agreed to remove Islam as its state religion as part of a peace deal it signed with rebel groups last week,…

Crackdown on the Algerian Church

30th Sep 2020

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Algeria has a long Christian history, but in recent years churches have experienced decreased freedoms and even closures. Converts in the country experience increased…

Unshaken.

03rd Jun 2020

Found in Prayer News

Aman* came to know Jesus when he was 23. It was at the time of turmoil in his home region. The government efforts to uplift rebels from…

Is Sudan changing for the better?

03rd Jun 2020

Found in Podcast

On this episode of World Watch Weekly, we're joined by Yasin* who shares about the persecution of Christians in Sudan. Yasin* has been engaged in different aspects…

That God will provide opportunities for His followers to meet safely and be encouraged to persevere
Ask Him to equip church leaders to stand strong when under pressure from Islamic extremists
For the hearts of Sudanese leaders to be transformed so the country can experience justice, peace and freedom of religion.