In a troubling turn of events, General al-Burhan’s (SAF) have detained members of the Al Iziba Christian Church while they attempted to flee escalating violence in Khartoum Bahri, known as Khartoum North.
The arrests occurred between October 2 and 7 in Shendi, River Nile State, involving 16 men, 25 women, and 54 children, all hailing from the Nuba Mountains.
Osama Saeed Musa Koudi, president of the Sudanese Christian Youth Union, condemned the detentions as yet another instance of targeted oppression against ethnic and religious minorities amid the ongoing civil war. According to reports from Justice Africa Sudan, the detainees were attempting to escape the conflict when military intelligence apprehended them, allegedly accusing them of collusion with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been embroiled in conflict with the SAF since 2023.
Following their initial arrest, some women and children were released, but church leader Evangelist Al Zibair Hassan Al-Ramla and several other men remain in custody. Civil society organizations have voiced their outrage over the situation, claiming these arrests exemplify a broader crackdown on civilians in RSF-controlled territories in Bahri.
Mubarak Ardol, a politician with ties to the military regime, announced on social media that 14 detainees had been released, while two are still under investigation. However, independent verification of these claims has yet to be obtained, leading many to question the motives behind Ardol’s statement amid mounting criticism of the detentions.
The targeting of ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Nuba Christians, persists despite the conflict not being framed as a religious war.
This community, long trapped in Sudan’s historical conflicts, often faces scrutiny from state security forces. The Nuba Mountains have been a battleground for years, with skirmishes primarily between the SAF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).
Human rights advocates and opposition parties have strongly condemned the recent arrests. The Nuba Mountains Lawyers Union characterized the actions as “racist behavior” and a violation of constitutional rights, while the Sudanese Congress Party denounced the “arbitrary arrests and violations” faced by displaced civilians.
Khartoum Bahri remains a flashpoint in the larger conflict between the SAF and RSF. As the RSF took control of much of the city in 2023, a recent SAF offensive has altered the landscape, resulting in increased civilian displacement. Ongoing clashes, airstrikes, and artillery bombardments have left many civilians, both Christians and Muslims, caught in the crossfire.
The International Organization for Migration estimates that around 12,000 civilians have fled southern Shendi Locality due to recent violence, seeking refuge in surrounding areas like River Nile State. However, the volatile military situation complicates their escape, as shifting frontlines create dangerous conditions for those attempting to flee.
The Plight of Al Iziba Christians
The Al Iziba Church serves as a spiritual cornerstone for the Christian community from the Nuba Mountains, a region marked by rich ethnic and religious diversity. Unfortunately, the church has faced severe challenges, especially under the previous Islamist-leaning regime of Omar al-Bashir, which targeted religious minorities.
Predominantly comprised of ethnic Nuba Christians, the congregation is often viewed with suspicion by authorities due to historical tensions between the Sudanese government and various rebel factions, including the SPLM-N. The ongoing civil war has made the church community increasingly vulnerable, exemplified by the recent arrests during their attempt to escape violence.
Accusations from SAF military intelligence that the church members were collaborating with the RSF remain unverified and appear to reflect a troubling pattern of ethnic and religious discrimination.
The Al Iziba Church, led by Evangelist Al Zibair Hassan Al-Ramla, has been a beacon of hope and support for displaced Christians, particularly those from the Nuba Mountains.
The Al Iziba Church’s history of persecution underscores the precarious environment for Christians in Sudan. In 2014, the church was reportedly demolished as part of a broader campaign against Christian worship centers across urban areas, especially in Khartoum.
In summary, the situation for Al Iziba Christians highlights the resilience of this community in the face of significant adversity, as they navigate a landscape fraught with political instability and civil strife in Sudan.