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Life for Christians in Sudan is getting tougher – as the president's supporters suspect them of siding with prosecutors who accuse him of war crimes.

Compass Direct news agency reports that 'orchestrated attacks' on Christians are on the increase since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir. Pro-government militias reportedly believe that churches are in favour of efforts to bring Bashir to justice for alleged war crimes in Darfur, western Sudan.

The latest attack was on a church in Chat village in the Nuba Mountains, central Sudan. The building was completely destroyed when armed militia attacked on March 27, sending the congregation fleeing for their lives. The militia are alleged to receive government support.

The building was home to the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCC) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). EPC pastor Aburahaman Tai is still recovering from injuries he suffered when he was attacked earlier in the month, allegedly by the same militia.

SCC president Barnabas Maitias says religious freedom for Christians in the mainly Arab and Muslim north of Sudan has deteriorated since the 2005 peace deal. Churches are denied land for building – or find their worship subject to surveillance. Christian festivities are restricted and church organisations are not recognised by the authorities.

Barnabas says that life is particularly hard for Christians with a Muslim background living in north Sudan. 'Most churches in Khartoum are housing [such believers] who have no place to stay or get their daily basic needs,' he told Compass Direct. 

(Sources: BBC, Compass Direct)

• Ask God to bless His church in Sudan with a strong sense of purpose and unity.
• Pray that the authorities in north Sudan will do more to defend religious liberty.

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