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The Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) challenged a government decision in late August to impose an unelected leadership committee on the church, which only came to light when church leaders were arrested.

The Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments, which oversees religious affairs in Sudan, appointed an alternative Executive Committee of the SCOC, led by Mr Angelo Alzaki, to manage church affairs. Eight senior SCOC leaders were arrested and charged with trespassing on the church headquarters and refusing to hand over control of the church to Mr Alzaki. They were released on bail later that day.

Marie-Thérèse Keita-Bocoum, the UN independent expert on the Central African Republic (CAR), called on the international community to continue supporting the country as newly elected President Faustin Archange Touadéra (a Christian) took office on 25 March.

In a statement to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on 22 March following her recent visit to CAR, Ms Keita-Bocoum applauded the progress achieved by the Transitional Government and UN Peacekeeping Mission with the support of the international community, and noted that the presidential and legislative elections held in December 2015 and February 2016 were largely free, fair and relatively peaceful. However, Ms Keita-Bocoum said: ‘There have been great steps taken, but the next six months are vital.’