Sudan: Urgent call to SAF and RSF to respect freedom of religion and worship

(19 July 2023) Africa Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) expresses deep concern about the emerging trend of violation of freedom of worship by Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan. ACJPS has documented incidents where sixteen mosques were partially destroyed and four churches were raided, looted, worshippers denied entry and/or forced to convert to Islam. These attacks have also resulted into the deaths and injuring of worshippers.

ACJPS reiterates its call to SAF and RSF to respect the rights and freedoms of Sudanese citizens. Sudan’s constitution and international human rights commitments guarantee the freedom of religion and worship. Article 56 of the Constitutional Declaration of 2019 provides that “Every person has the right to freedom of religious belief and worship. They shall have the right to profess or express their religion or belief through worship, education, practice, performance of rituals, or celebrations, in accordance with the requirements of the law and public order. No one shall be compelled to convert to a religion they do not believe in or to practice rites or rituals they do not voluntarily accept”.

Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Sudan is a party, states that “everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.”

Several worship houses in Sudan have been targeted since the outbreak of armed conflict between the SAF and RSF on 15^th April, 2023. Military bases of both SAF and RSF are located in the middle of towns, a factor that puts civilians in harms way (collateral) during gunfire exchanges between the two conflicting parties. Additionally, most of the military bases have fuel stations within the base which also puts civilians in the surrounding areas at risk in case of an attack.

When SAF started air bombarding RSF bases in Khartoum, RSF moved from their bases into residential areas and occupied houses belonging to civilians. This prompted SAF to air bomb residential areas resulting into the partial destruction of at least 16 mosques and killing of 5 civilians.

In a separate incident, RSF raided four churches and harassed the congregation and church leaders who had gathered for prayers. These incidents have scared the citizens from attending prayers in both churches and mosques.

In Elgenina, West Darfur, three mosques were destroyed after the resumption of conflict between SAF and RSF on 24^th April, 2023. The Arab armed militias joined the conflict in support of RSF while the Masalite tribesmen and members of the Sudanese Alliance, a signatory of the Sudanese Peace Agreement of 2020 formed a defense group to engage in the conflict against the RSF. It is however unclear who is   is responsible for the attacks on the mosques located in Alzariba, Althura and Alzhor neighborhoods in Elgenina.

The main mosque in Alobid town in North Kordofan, the State building was partially destroyed by bullet shells during a shootout between SAF and RSF.

Incidents in Khartoum State

The attacks in Khartoum Bahari resulted into the destruction of 12 mosques and the killing of 5 people. The mosques affected are located in; Alzhra, South Alshabia, Alengaz “Mayo”, Tibat Alhamda, Aleizbah and East Aljerif neighborhood in Khartoum Bahari, Shamat and Alhaj Yousef neighborhood of Bahari

In Burri, the attacks targeted mosques in Almanshia neighborhood and sub neighborhoods 11 and 44 in Alazhari neighborhoods in Khartoum.

In Omdurman two Mosques located in Almuhandseen and Alamir “Um Badah” were shelled.

At least four churches below were raided by RSF in Khartoum.

On 17^th April, 2023 the Sudanese Episcopal Church located on 1^st street in Alamarate neighborhood of Khartoum was raided by a group of RSF soldiers. The group broke the locks at the main gate and accessed the building. They destroyed the Peace Esquire meeting rooms and offices. They also harassed a guard and stole a vehicle belonging to the Church right after destroying another vehicle belonging to the archbishop. RSF then took over the building and turned it into a military base.

On 3^rd May, 2023 the Coptic church in Khartoum Bahari was raided and looted.

On 13^th May, 2023 at around 11:00 Pm, a group of six armed men dressed in RSF uniform raided George’s Church located in Almsalmah neighborhood of Omdurman where at least 40 people had congregated for prayers. The attackers demanded for gold and money. Five people including the bishop and his son sustained injuries as they were shot on their legs. They threatened the bishop and forced him to give them money and also hand over his vehicle. They also threatened to kill him if he doesn’t convert to Islam. They also ordered the congregants to convert to Islam.

On 14^th May, 2023 a group of masked armed men raided the Our Lady Nile Avenue Church located in the center of Khartoum. They threatened the archbishop and chased them out of the church building. The group later converted the building into a military base.

Background

Sudan has come a long way in respecting religious freedom. After the ousting of former president Al-Bashir, the transitional government made reforms in different levels. The transitional government engaged with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom on religious freedoms. The transitional constitution provided for freedom of belief and worship and also abolished apostasy. Unfortunately, all these efforts were watered down by October 2021 coup as Christian citizens were judicially harassed and some charged with Apostasy, an offence which was outlawed. The ongoing armed conflict has only escalated the already bad situation in Sudan.