Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: October 26, 2024
'He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.'
Taking encouragement from Psalm 46, let's continue to pray for ceasefire in Sudan.
We also pray specifically for those who have been displaced by violence, who are not out of danger even after they have fled.
100 flee to Shendi; 26 men detained
A hundred Christians from the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) are among those who fled to the small city of Shendi earlier this month. The group includes at least 25 women and 54 children, who now face a dire humanitarian situation.
They fled fighting in Khartoum North and are now living in the SCOC building in Shendi. The church is overcrowded, as it isn't designed to host displaced persons.
Twenty-six men were arbitrarily arrested at the SCOC building on 6, 10 and 11 October. Most of them were Christians and at least one is Muslim. All were simply seeking refuge for themselves and their families.
An eyewitness told us that the men were harassed and physically assaulted in front of their families.
While twelve of the men were released between 12 and 13 October, the rest are still detained. They are held by a notorious military unit known to use torture and other forms of violence. Please pray urgently for their protection and release.
Why were they arrested?
The current conflict is between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both sides are responsible for appalling human rights violations, which UN experts recently said may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The 26 men were unjustly detained by military intelligence officers from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), who accused them of being affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Not only are civilians navigating the horrendous humanitarian crisis, but in trying to seek safety, they risk being accused of being a member of one of the warring parties.
As people flee from areas that had been captured or controlled by the RSF, they risk being accused by the SAF of being RSF fighters. Those who try to leave RSF controlled areas also risk being accused of being affiliated with or supporting SAF by the RSF, and prevented from leaving the areas.
In Gezira State, Christians living in the Al Thora Mobe village (an area controlled by the RSF) are facing forcible conversion to Islam by the RSF. They are also experiencing serious humanitarian need and if they attempt to leave the area, they risk further mistreatment by the RSF or arrest by the SAF and accusation that they are affiliated with the RSF.
In summary, please pray:
- For a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire in Sudan.
- For the protection of civilians and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
- For shelter, refuge, protection and provision for those who have been forced from their homes, including those who fled to Shendi this month.
- For the immediate, unconditional release of those who are arbitrarily detained. Pray that they will be allowed visits from their lawyers and families in the meantime.
- Pray for those living in areas like Gezira State where the RSF is pressuring them to change their faith and risk being arrested if they flee into SAF controlled areas.
- That those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity would be brought to justice.
P.S. Today is Pastor Lorenzo's 53rd birthday.
Earlier this year, a United Nations ruling confirmed what we have known all along: that Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo should not be in prison. He was unjustly arrested while peacefully protesting on 11 July 2021.
- Please pray a special blessing over the Cuban pastor and his family today.