SUDAN: Two Churches Vandalised in Port Sudan

Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Voice of the Martyrs Australia

Photo Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Two churches, which are among the oldest Christian places of worship in Sudan, were targeted by vandals in broad daylight on 26 November, in what appears to be a coordinated attack. The vandals attacked the churches located in the centre of Port Sudan Market, opposite the police station and nearby official state administrative buildings.

Members of The Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church found the Islamic Shahadah – “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his messenger’, written in red on the church’s front wall, alongside the Koranic verse: “There is no God but He, the Lord of the Honourable Throne”. CCTV footage showed the culprit arriving in a car with others, emerging from the vehicle with a can of red graffiti spray, and approaching the exterior wall of the church.

Port Sudan operates as the de facto capital of Sudan and is where the leadership of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and military and administrative offices relocated after the conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023. The city, considered to be a safe place away from the battle lines between the SAF and RSF, is now home to hundreds of thousands of displaced citizens.

Despite the churches’ central location, no action was taken by local officials, including the police. Due to the nature of the graffiti, the leaders of the Evangelical Church did not want to cause further tension in the community by filing an official complaint. Consequently, the congregation covered the writing. One member told sources: “It might only be the start; only God knows what will come next if such a crime is tolerated.”