The ongoing civil war in Sudan has put the country’s two million Christians in a perilous position, trapped between the forces of Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Both factions have shown little regard for religious minorities, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Open Doors, a Christian persecution watchdog, reports that at least 150,000 Christians have perished in the conflict while millions more have been displaced, making it the largest displacement crisis globally.
Open Doors highlights the grim reality that neither Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) nor Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have shown any sympathy toward Christians. The conflict has emboldened Islamist extremists, further endangering Christian communities. Discrimination in aid distribution exacerbates their suffering, as local communities often refuse them support, and many churches are unable to help due to being on the run.
Fox News recently spoke with a senior Sudanese church leader who echoed these concerns, explaining how government control over aid distribution prevents Christians from receiving necessary relief. The leader, whose identity remains protected for safety reasons, recounted how Christians are often told, “Unless you leave your Christianity, no food for you.” This dire situation extends to the besieged city of El Fasher, where Christians face extreme hardships.
The RSF has been accused by the United Nations of deliberately targeting civilian areas and refugee camps in El Fasher. “For a long time now, they’re eating animal feed and grass,” the church leader said, describing the dire scarcity of food and medicine. The deprivation is so severe that even minor illnesses can become fatal without medical supplies.
Christians in El Fasher endure not only physical hunger but also spiritual oppression, as they are often “forbidden even to pray in your home as a group” in many areas, the church leader lamented. The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies’ research analyst Mariam Wahba told Fox News about the brutal treatment Christians face from both the SAF and RSF. The RSF’s lineage can be traced back to the Janjaweed militias, notorious for ethnic cleansing in Darfur.
The Janjaweed, infamous for their brutal tactics, have left a legacy of terror now continued by the RSF, which commits similar atrocities against Christians. Human rights groups report that RSF fighters often target churches under the false belief that they contain treasures. This persecution has been part of the RSF’s operations since the civil war reignited in 2023.
Sky News has reported the dire conditions in refugee camps surrounding El Fasher, where residents speak of “torture, rape, and forced starvation.” The RSF’s complete blockade of the city has resulted in severe shortages of essential supplies. The paramilitary force even constructed an earthen wall encircling the city, visible from space, to prevent aid from entering.
Refugees recount harrowing experiences, including being captured and held for ransom by RSF fighters. Those unable to pay face brutal consequences, including torture and death. Tribal groups despised by the RSF endure the most horrific treatment, highlighting the sheer brutality of the conflict.
An elderly woman told Sky News of the personal toll, sharing how her family members were killed and her daughters raped. “They fled from shame and humiliation. I haven’t seen them since,” she said, illustrating the deep scars left by the violence. Dr. Afaf Isaq, the director of a refugee camp, expressed her despair over the suffering she witnesses daily.
Dr. Isaq, herself a refugee, has been overwhelmed by the stories of those she helps. She criticized the international community for failing to address the human rights violations occurring in Sudan. “Where is the humanity?” she asked, pointing to the lack of global intervention.
Christians living in areas controlled by Burhan’s SAF face challenges as well. International Christian Concern noted in July that churches in SAF-controlled regions of Khartoum have been demolished. Christians have been arbitrarily arrested and detained, with officials often demanding fines that resemble ransom payments.
The Evangelical Community Council for Sudan’s chairman, Rafat Samir, accused Burhan’s government of using the civil war as an opportunity to systematically eliminate Christianity from Khartoum. The government’s refusal to permit the repair of damaged churches further illustrates their agenda. Samir noted that many churches are denied permits, regardless of compliance with state conditions.
