Sudan: Christians at Risk from Islamist Groups
In 2019, thirty years of Islamist military rule ended after massive popular democracy protests overthrew Field Marshall Omar Bashir, indicted by the ICC for genocide in Darfur. However, the security services seized power from a civilian-military transitional government in October 2021. The junta claims to be consolidating power to protect the transition, saying the military will eventually hand over to civilians, thereafter staying out of politics.
Since the coup, the rapid reinstatement of discredited Islamists in the country’s civil service has caused alarm among pro-democracy groups, civil society and Christians. The transitional government, established after the 2019 popular uprising, had purged the civil service of Islamists due to their alleged corruption. As reported previously on ICN Christians are facing a fresh wave of arrests, harassment, and the confiscation and destruction of church property. Many Christians live in the marginalised areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and in informal settlements and displaced people’s camps around the capital, Khartoum.
Despite diplomatic efforts, little progress has been made forming a new government representing civilian aspirations. The military is reported to have agreed on a draft constitutional document written by the country’s Bar Association. This would allow the appointment of a civilian prime minister who would lead the country through elections by 2024. However, the future role of the military remains contentious because Sudan’s broad network of community resistance committees have little faith the junta will keep its word.
Source: ICN
