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Sudan
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Sudan’s civil war has plunged Christians into a rapidly worsening crisis of violence and displacement.
“We don’t know what this new Sudan will look like after the war, but I think this is a time for the church to stand up for [our] rights to ensure we have a place and a voice.”
Persecution Type
- Islamic oppression (Very strong)
- Dictatorial paranoia (Very strong)
- Clan oppression (Strong)
- Organized corruption and crime (Strong)
Christian population
2,201,000 (4%)
Government
Presidential republic
Main Religion
Islam
Leader
General Abd-al-Fatta al-Burhan Adb-al-Rahman
What is persecution like in Sudan?
The situation for Christians in Sudan has long been difficult, but right now the Christian community in Sudan is currently going through a severe, growing crisis and population displacement. Thisreality stems from the 2021 military takeover and the brutal civil war that started in 2023. The government reinstated oppressive figures, brought back cruel ‘morality policies’, and is using old Islamic laws to justify forcing people to convert or endure physical punishment. This has completely undone the advances in religious freedom made after the oppressive al-Bashir regime was overthrown in 2021.
Many church buildings have been bombed, taken over and used as bases by militias and radical groups. Christians face intense discrimination everywhere – in courts, the workplace and schools.
Converts from Islam live in constant fear and face intense threats, including social isolation, violence from militias and rejection from their families. Historical Christian communities suffer forced church closures, church-registration denials and even destruction of their buildings. Faith leaders and expatriates increasingly experience arbitrary arrest and detention due to the ongoing conflict.
What changed this year?
Sudan rose one position on the World Watch List. Christians in Sudan live in silence and increasing fear, largely due to the ongoing civil war. By March 2025, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom reported that Sudan’s civil war was ‘particularly impacting vulnerable religious populations’. There were increased forced conversions to Islam and physical punishment for refusal to convert. The civil war has created a lawless vacuum where militias linked to both sides feel emboldened to persecute Christians without fear of repercussion. Attacks were common in rural areas but are now also taking place in urban areas with more established churches. Military leaders have increased the violence against Christians by painting believers as Western agents amid anti-Western rhetoric. Organised crime is increasing in lawless zones, where Christians are frequently targeted for extortion and violence.
Who is most vulnerable to persecution?
What does OPen doors Do to help?
Open Doors’ vision for Sudan is to see a resilient church that stands strong in the face of persecution and is economically empowered to support itself. It supports by providing persecution-preparedness programmes, enhancing discipleship, and by facilitating economic empowerment.
(Please note that while we are planning for our work to continue as intended, during the current security challenges, emergency response to help Christians survive has had to take priority over all other work.)