On 8 July, Sudanese authorities demolished a church complex in Khartoum North, with no warning to the church and its leaders.
At about midday, two bulldozers, four trucks and three large vehicles loaded with soldiers and civilians, accompanied by police, arrived at the compound of the Pentecostal Church in the El-Haj Yousif area of East Nile District and began demolishing the church building.
While police and the army claimed to have no part in the process, the vehicles were clearly marked, and their presence allowed the perpetrators to act with impunity. Police also prevented civilians from taking video recordings or photos during the demolition.
Officials initially gave no reason for demolishing the building, which included a worship hall and administrative offices, sources said.
“It was shocking,” one eyewitness reportedly said.
The church, which belongs to the Sudan Pentecostal Church denomination, constructed the building in the early 1990s. Christians have called on the Sudan Council of Churches, a non-denominational body, to take notice of the religious freedom violation.
Officials reportedly did not ask for ownership papers of the church building before demolishing it.
Authorities later told church officials the building was destroyed as part of a drive to remove “unregulated” buildings throughout Khartoum state.
Church leaders condemned the destruction, describing it as part of an increase in persecution against Christians in Sudan.
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