Open Doors field teams are asking for prayer as the situation in
Sudan continues to deteriorate. The
BBC reports that diplomats and nationals from the United States, the UK, France and Canada are being evacuated.
Fighting broke out in the capital city of Khartoum on or around April 15. The conflict is between the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who has been the
de facto leader of Sudan for years, and the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, who is more popularly known as “Hemeti.”
The army and al-Burhan were long entangled with the former ruler of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, who was
deposed in 2019. While the army is seen as loyal to the former regime of al Bashir, the RSF has its roots in the
Janwajeed, the notorious militia group responsible for massive human rights atrocities in the Darfur region of Sudan. To add to the complexity, Hememti and Gen. al-Burhan were
previously allied in a military coup that took control over Sudan in 2021. But since then, the two men and their armies have fallen out and begun to fight.
Most of the fighting has been in the capital city, but it’s begun to spread to parts of Darfur and some of the border regions. The fighting has trapped civilians in their homes without food, water and electricity. According to the
latest UN situation report, at least 400 people have died.
Watch this video of the current situation in Khartoum, taken by a church partner:
Sudan is
No. 10 on the 2023 World Watch List, and even before the current conflict, the country was a difficult place to be a Christian. But so far, there have been no reports that Christians have been targeted in the fighting. Open Doors is watching the situation closely and our regional field workers are in contact with partners and the local church. The future looks uncertain, but for now, everyone is most concerned about being caught in the crossfire and trying to find food.
Our field has asked that we pray for the Lord’s protection over His children in these circumstances. Pray for discernment in what action would be the safest for Christians to take. Also please pray for His provision to all in these very complex circumstances. Pray for boldness in believers’ Christian testimony as they face these difficulties.
Top photo: People line up for water in the capital of Sudan, Khartoum. Taken by local Open Doors partners.
