The clash between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has resulted in a significant loss of lives and extensive harm to religious communities. Watchdogs from the United States have cautioned that religious sites are deliberately being targeted, resulting in widespread devastation.

The ongoing violence has led to an estimated death toll surpassing 13,000, with combatants specifically aiming at places of worship and other religious landmarks, according to USCIRF. In one harrowing incident, Evangelical Pastor Kowa Shamal narrowly escaped death when RSF militants demanded that he renounce his faith.

Refusing to comply, Pastor Shamal faced a physical altercation that tragically ended with the murder of his 23-year-old nephew, who was killed for refusing to remove the cross pendant around his neck.

Tom Perriello, the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, and Isobel Coleman, USAID’s Deputy Administrator, participated in the International Humanitarian Conference on Sudan earlier this month, marking one year since the conflict began. During the conference, Deputy Administrator Coleman announced an additional $100 million in humanitarian aid for the Sudanese people, bringing the total U.S. government assistance to over $1 billion since October 2023.

Source: christianpost.com