Christian Foundation Condemns Attempts to Shied Church Arson Attacker in Sudan

Khartoum, 08 April, 2023 / 8:50 PM

Christians Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a UK-based human rights foundation, has expressed concern about the attempts by the Sudanese military to shield a man accused of torching a church in Gedaref State in East Sudan.

Yasin Ahmed Haroun, a member of Sudan’s army, is accused of burning down a church belonging to the Sudan Church of Christ (SCOC), which had been a place of worship since 1991.

CSW has reported that shortly after the 16 December 2022 arson attack on the church in Doka took place, church leaders filed a criminal case with the local prosecutor naming Mr. Haroun, who had been spotted fleeing following the attack.

The prosecutor is said to have requested that the military surrender the arsonist for their investigations, a request that was denied.

The military officials initially stated that they had no one by that name in their ranks. They were eventually obliged to hand him over to the authorities after the case went viral on social media.

In a Monday, April 3 report , CSW says that Mr. Haroun had been arrested and is set to appear before Al Galabat Criminal Court on April 13. He is to face charges under Articles 127 and 182 of the Sudanese Criminal Act (Defiling and Disturbing Places of Worship and Criminal Mischief).

The Christian human rights foundation has welcomed the arrest, expressing concern that authorities in Sudan had first attempted to obstruct justice.

CSW’s Head of Advocacy, Dr. Khataza Gondwe, is quoted as saying that the arrest of Mr. Haroun was “a welcome development”, adding, “CSW particularly commends the application of Article 127 for the first time following an attack on a church, and calls on the authorities in Gedaref State to ensure due process is followed.”

“While their initial attempts to shield the perpetrator remain concerning, we urge the military authorities to honor the spirit of the framework agreement by refraining from any interference in the legal process and allowing justice to run its full course,” Gondwe said.

The SCOC is a predominantly Nuba denomination that has experienced both religious and ethnic discrimination.