In October 2020 eight leaders from the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) were acquitted, with all the charges dropped, in a case that had been ongoing since 2017. This is just one of the encouraging developments we’ve seen in Sudan in recent months. However, hopes that a way may be being paved for a fairer, more inclusive society, were somewhat tempered by the fact that the illegal committee whose activities had engineered their conviction on spurious charges was yet to be dissolved at time of writing.
Challenges for the realisation of freedom of religion or belief and equal citizenship remain, and extremist voices continue to hold considerable sway, while the civilian part of the new government appears increasingly to be losing ground to the military section, slowing down the process of democratic reform. Find out more at csw.org.uk/sudan
Sunday 16 May
On 3 January a church belonging to the Sudanese Church of Christ in Gezira State was burned down by a 13-year-old boy, on the orders of an adult. However, only the minor was arrested. Pray for justice, and for protection and hope for members of the church, who’ve long faced harassment from some local Muslims and Sudanese authorities.
Monday 17 May
Give thanks for the courage of Dr Omar El Garai, the former Director of the National Centre for Curricula and Educational Research, who resigned after the prime minister halted the development of school curricula, following intense opposition from Islamists. The proposed curricula would have seen all religions presented equally. Pray for the emergence of curricula that promote inclusivity and unity.
Tuesday 18 May
Praise God for the decision of the governor of Gezira state to authorise the construction of four church buildings on empty land. Three of the churches will be given to the SCOC and one to the Evangelical Church. The last time a church was given land on which to build was in 2005.
Wednesday 19 May
The trial of nine defendants accused of setting fire to a church in Omdurman, Khartoum began on 29 November 2020. These are the first prosecutions for damaging a church in the nation’s history. Thank God for this significant step towards a fairer society and pray that justice would be served.
Thursday 20 May
On 13 November, the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan effectively pardoned everyone involved in any military action, including those responsible for the bombing of homes and churches in the Nuba Mountains, which resulted in the deaths of thousands. Pray that this decision would be overturned and those responsible for human rights violations are held to account.
Friday 21 May
General Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo, deputy chair of the Sovereign Council, is the most powerful person in Sudan. His Rapid Support Forces (RSF, formerly a Janjaweed militia) committed atrocities in Darfur and attacked sit-in sites in Khartoum in June 2019 resulting in at least 128 deaths, multiple injuries and mass rape. In February, 166 decomposing bodies were discovered in the Gezira state mortuary, and are thought to be victims of the massacre of civilians by the RSF in June 2019. Pray for justice, and against any return to military rule.
Saturday 22 May
Loving Father, grant wisdom to the Sudanese authorities and lead them to promote justice and righteousness. Give them courage to stand against extremist voices and help them to create a society in which all people are valued and respected, whatever their religion or belief. Amen.