The ousting of Sudan’s now former President Omar al-Bashir has opened a “window of opportunity” to end persecution in the African nation, according to UK-based persecuted church support organisation Release International.
Sudanese demonstrators chant slogans in front of security forces during a protest in Khartoum, Sudan, on Monday, 15th April. PICTURE: REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Bashir, who came to power in 1989 and is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity over the killing and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Darfur, was deposed by the military last week following ongoing protests in the capital of Khartoum. In the wake of al-Bashir’s fall, the demonstrators – led by the Sudanese Professionals’ Association – have continued to demand the speedy formation of a new interim civilian council and say that if it doesn’t happen quickly, they’ll escalate the protests still going on in the capital.
Release CEO Paul Robinson said the regime change “could be a turning point” with regard to ending violence against Christians and greater religious freedom in Sudan.
“These are encouraging steps,” he said. “But the next step must be to allow full religious freedom in the country. Without true freedom of belief and association, Sudan will continue to be one of the most repressive states in the world today. Handled well, this could be a window of opportunity for Christians in Sudan, who have suffered immensely for many years.”
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Release said the heaviest persecution of Christians in Sudan has taken place in the Nuba Mountains where the Sudanese Government had been driving out minority groups in what Release described as “ethnic cleansing”. Elsewhere in Sudan, churches had been demolished, church property seized and Christian leaders removed. Permission to build new churches was refused. It remains illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity in Sudan and those who do can be prosecuted for apostasy.
Religious freedom has been tightly restricted and critics of the government’s policy on religion have faced surveillance and risked punishment.
Robinson said all of that must change.
“And we call on the new leaders of Sudan to implement full religious freedom and take their place among the free, democratic nations of the world. Right now, the world is watching and hoping. This is an opportunity for change and we call on Christians everywhere who enjoy freedom of worship to pray for our brothers and sisters in Sudan.”