Sudan and South Sudan - Country profile

The March 2012 arrest of actor George Clooney for civil disobedience during a protest outside the Sudanese Embassy in Washington DC, USA, demonstrated the scale of concern about a new humanitarian crisis looming over Sudan and South Sudan.

Reports both from Clooney and elsewhere made clear that Christians were among the worst to suffer. The Hollywood actor's brief detention followed a rally at which he spoke out against state-sponsored violence alongside  a Sudanese bishop forced into exile as a result of persecution.

Anglican Bishop Andudu Adam Elnail, of Kadugli,South Kordofan reported that in raids on his diocese, churches had been looted, priests attacked and church buildings burnt to the ground, including his cathedral, guesthouse, and the bishop's house.

Attacks on churches and Christian leaders formed part of an upsurge of violence and oppression affecting not just South Kordofan but elsewhere in what is now Sudan and South Sudan.

Return to war?

Renewed violence began just months after South Sudan’s 9th July 2011 independence. In many areas on the new border between the countries, violence erupted in summer 2011, affecting Damazin in the Blue Nile State as well as South Kordofan. In the latter case, the conflict became increasingly protracted.

In April 2012 skirmishes over a oil producing Heglig area near the border, raised fears of a return to war. The violence was reminiscent of the deadly 1983-2005 civil war, which left three million dead and up to five million displaced.

George Clooney, who visited the disputed border region in March 2012, verified first-hand reports that aerial bombardments by the Sudanese airforce were causing misery in the Nuba mountains.

Nuba Mountains

Sustained bombings have driven tens of thousands of civilians into caves. Civil society leaders estimated that 350,000 have been displaced and as many as 100,000 have sought refuge in caves.

Human Rights Watch has said that the Sudan military is conducting indiscriminate bombings against civilians in the Nuba Mountains.

Bishop Macram Max Gassis agreed with this assessment, saying: “The bombs have not been falling on the soldiers… They have been falling on the women and children and the elderly.

“At the moment there is nobody in the Nuba Mountains except the Catholic Church.”

Mass exodus to the South

Meanwhile, President Omar al-Bashir's regime in Khartoum tried to impose its Arab-Islamist vision, tightening up enforcement of Shari'a law. Reports have come in of women whipped for not wearing head veils and violence against people accused of Christian 'evangelisation'. Christians fled Khartoum and made for their tribal and ancestral homelands in the South.

Even those in Sudan with roots in the South who wished to remain in the north were required to obtain identity cards for citizenship of the South. It was reported that their number included up to 700,000 Christians. Most of them lacked the means to travel to the South, necessary to obtain the permits.

Human rights observers condemned the Khartoum government's policy as tantamount to forcing people out of the country on ethnic and religious grounds.

Problems facing the South

In South Sudan, the arrival of so many displaced people has put huge pressure on the new government in a country largely if not completely without the infrastructure to cater for such a vast influx of people.

Renewed violence was also reported in the South, including attacks on Christian communities, amid signs of continued collusion of local rebels with the Lord's Resistance Army, allegedly backed by Khartoum.

 'Massive deterioration' for Christians

Taken as a whole, over the last 12 months, the situation for Christians in the area, especially in Sudan, massively deteriorated. Indeed, human rights organisation Open Doors announced in early 2012 that worsening oppression over the past two years had causedSudanto climb 19 places to 16th in its league table of Christian persecution.

Leading Catholic bishops were warning that problems were likely to worsen, particularly in the short term. Such problems were, they said, a particular cause for concern if the Khartoum regime applies force in its renewed pursuit of an Arab and Islamist Sudan. In that case, the fear was that people with roots in other countries and adhering to other religions would become at best second class citizens.

Key projects

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  A solid foundation for a better future

  An entire generation in Sudan has grown up knowing little else but suffering, and for those refugees who fled from the South, the Catholic Church has been their only help. Thanks to your kindness, a preparation course in the seminary of St Paul in the capital, Khartoum, is providing candidates with a solid foundation for their future studies and vocation.
  Make Donation

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  Support for the minor seminary in the diocese of Rumbek

  As Christians in South Sudan, the world's youngest country, strive to build a new life for themselves, priests have a vital role to play. Father Marcellus tells us of his gratitude for your support for the minor seminary in Rumbek, which was rebuilt from scratch after being destroyed in the civil war. "We pray that the Lord may bless these young men, and strengthen their resolve to become priests for Sudan. Please be assured of our ceaseless prayers for our precious benefactors."
  Make Donation

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  Helping young people to travel to the World Youth Day in Madrid

  John from Khartoum explains what being able to go to World Youth Day means for young people in Sudan: “We sense that we are not alone in the world but are part of this great and wonderful encounter, which transcends even geographical frontiers.” Thanks to you, 36 young people from North and South Sudan were able to take part in WYD 2011.
  Make Donation

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  A Sturdy Vehicle for the Franciscan Sisters

  The Franciscan Sisters are carrying out vital work helping the poor in Wau diocese, South Sudan, where more than 90 percent of people live on less than a dollar a day. Some Sisters tend to the sick, others teach in schools. And now the Sisters can go out to help the poor in their own villages – thanks to you, we have provided an all-terrain vehicle to cope with the appalling road conditions. Make Donation

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  Citizenship guaranteed… with a little help from you

  The Khartoum regime in the north has insisted that citizens with ancestral homelands in the south return there to register as citizens of South Sudan. This includes many priests and religious working in the north. Your generosity has helped 174 priests, Sisters, brothers and seminarians to obtain the paperwork they need to continue their vital ministry in Sudan.  Make Donation

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  Mass stipends – a spiritual lifeline

  Thanks to your kindness, 1,800 Mass stipends have been given to priests in Wau diocese, South Sudan, with another 1,000 going to Malakal diocese, in the troubled border area. Attending Mass is very important to the faithful in Sudan and South Sudan – often people  walk for two hours and more to get to Mass. Make Donation

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  Helping them carry the Cross

  The faithful are walking a particularly painful way of the Cross as they flee violence along the Sudan-South Sudan border. You have helped us make an emergency grant of £32,000 to the Comboni Missionaries so that they can distribute food including rice, grain, sugar, lentils and oil. Sister Margaret wrote: “Thank you for your generosity, for sharing with us and making our lives easier.” Make Donation

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  Christian education for all

  Catholic education is crucial to maintaining the Christian presence in Sudan. Thanks to you, young girls from displaced Christian families in Khartoum are now receiving food aid and schooling, following a desperate appeal from Sisters committed to their care. An aid package of £20,000 provides food for the girls and their families, as well as teachers’ salaries, computers and tables. Make Donation

Last updated: 06/07/2012