The last three days were supposed to be a cease-fire in Sudan, where two factions are fighting for control of the military and government. While the fighting—gunshots, explosions, and fighter jets—never did cease, thousands saw this week as their opportunity to evacuate from Khartoum, the country’s capital and the center of the conflict.
They’re fleeing a rapidly deteriorating situation. Khartoum’s morgues are full, dead bodies lie in the streets, and the healthcare system is collapsing. Electricity and running water are often unavailable, food is growing scarce, and the internet is unstable.
Among the refugees is a small band of Christians. There weren’t many to begin with. Sudan is mostly Muslim; Operation World estimates just 2.5 percent of the population are evangelical Christians. On top of that, Sudan’s ethnic and religious persecution was so severe that in 2011, the majority-Christian South Sudan broke away to form their own country.
That didn’t make things safer for Christians left in Sudan. Christian women and girls are in danger of rape and forced marriage. Christian men and boys have been beaten and imprisoned. In 2023, Sudan ranked in the World Watch List’s top 10 hardest places in the world to be a Christian.
Until this week, most of them lived in Khartoum.
Like others, they’re on the run. A few days ago, one pastor led a group about 120 miles southwest to the city of Madani, said David Fugoyo Baime, a Council member of The Gospel Coalition Africa and vice president for programs and development at African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries.
“The pastor said the conditions are not good,” Fugoyo told me. “They don’t have even mattresses to sleep on, and they are running out of food. There are many of them and not enough money. The situation is not good.”
Fugoyo lives and works in Uganda but was born in Sudan (now South Sudan) and grew up in Khartoum. He was there a few weeks ago to encourage and teach church leaders. I asked him what was going on, how it was affecting Christians, and what he told Christian refugees this week. (The following has been adapted for readability.)
What is going on in Sudan? Is there a side Christians can support?
Not really. After the ouster of President al-Bashir in 2019, the commander of the army took over control of the government. He also still controlled the army. But he didn’t control the separate paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF. These forces, established by al-Bashir in 2014, are empowered, wealthy, and well-armed.
The plan is for the military government to transition over to a civilian government. As part of that process, the army and RSF are supposed to merge into one force. But the two leaders disagree on the process and length of time it should take—the army said a few months, the RSF said 10 years. The disagreement escalated to what we’re seeing today. The two armies are now fighting, and each leader wants the other to surrender and be arrested.
How is this affecting the few Christians in Sudan?
After South Sudan won its independence from Sudan, Christians in Sudan suffered. Pastors were arrested. Other Christians were denied their basic rights as citizens. Church properties were closed or taken by people linked to that [government] system.
Now, they are just trying to survive the fighting.
You spoke to some of these Christians yesterday. What did you tell them?
I told them two things.
First, I reminded them of what I told them a few weeks ago when I was with them in Khartoum. I met with around 80 Christians, and I talked about how to be a good leader and the importance of discipleship. More importantly, I talked about why God allows hardships. I told them that whatever the church in Sudan goes through is allowed by God because he wants to see a stronger church.
Whatever the church in Sudan goes through is allowed by God because he wants to see a stronger church.
Maybe God was using that message to prepare them for this. I told them to reflect on that—God knew this was coming.
Second, the Bible shows us God allows these situations not because he wants people to be killed but because he wants to change something that isn’t good in their lives. The people in north Sudan have often attacked those in the east, west, and south parts, often without thinking of the damage they were causing. Now the war is taking place in their territory. It might be time for them to see how horrible it is when war happens in your own city. Perhaps after this, they will not be so quick to fight.
How can we pray for Sudan?
Pray that God will protect the vulnerable. Pray that he will manifest himself in miraculous ways. Pray for hearts to be melted and reformed by God. Also pray that the people who participated in the atrocities will repent from what they have done.
Pray especially for the Christians, that they will remember God has not left them and the body of Christ worldwide is praying for them. Pray that God will protect them from diseases, because now they are drinking unclean water and sleeping where there are mosquitos. Please pray that God will lessen their trauma and strengthen them.
Sudan has been in a civil war for 46 of the last 70 years. It seems unlikely this will be resolved quickly. What’s next?
Either one of the military leaders will be captured or killed, or the two of them will listen to the international community, stop fighting, and talk. The latter seems unlikely, so this could continue for many months and cause a lot of damage. I don’t see the light yet.
The Christian refugees I talked to in Madani have already met with Christians in that city and joined their weekly fellowship and small groups. They’re encouraging one another and becoming bold in talking about Christ. Since everyone is occupied with the fighting, nobody is following them or trying to arrest them. So they’re singing and sharing the gospel with people in the neighborhood who are asking about their gatherings.
Remember that the church in the book of Acts was persecuted after the death of Stephen. The Bible says those who were scattered went around preaching the gospel. The Sudanese refugees know it might be a good time for them, despite the difficulties, to preach the gospel. They have already been boldly speaking about their faith.
The Gospel Coalition