Christian Entity Condemns “intentional attacks” on Worship Centers in Sudan amid Fighting

RSF is said to have harassed the people present in the Coptic Church for a week before forcing them to leave. 

Catholic facilities in the country have also been damaged by artillery from the violence. In April,  rockets hit the compound of  Mary Queen of Africa Cathedral of El-Obeid Diocese. Part of St. Joseph Vocational Training Centre (VCT) in Khartoum has also been destroyed in the ongoing violence.

CSW also reports that several mosques in Sudan have been attacked. 

Mr. Mervyn has called on the Designated Expert of the High Commissioner on Human Rights in Sudan, Radhouan Nouicer, to take note of the human rights violations in the Northeastern African nation.

The CSW official has also urged the international community “to commit to long-term support for the promotion, protection, and fulfillment of human rights, and to facilitate broad and significant civil society participation in negotiations on a peaceful democratic transition.” 

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Mr. Mervyn says the promotion and protection of human rights in Sudan “is the only way to secure an effective political solution based on an inclusive Sudanese identity, the rule of law, human rights and accountability.”

At least 700 people have reportedly been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since violence broke out between the General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan SAF and RSF, the paramilitary force under General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. 

On May 11, representatives of the RSF and SAF signed the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. 

The commitment signed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is not an agreement to a ceasefire but a recognition that both warring parties are obligated to promote humanitarian action to meet the needs of the people. 

In the May 16 report, Mr. Mervyn says that while the signing of the Jeddah Commitment is “a commendable initial step” if adhered to, there is need for an “immediate, unconditional ceasefire.”