The Sudanese Minister for Guidance and Religious Endowments, Shalil Abdullah, reaffirmed on July 12 that the government will not issue permits for the building of new churches in Sudan.
The minister stated that, since South Sudan’s secession, the existing churches remaining in Sudan are sufficient for Sudan’s Christian population. This is the second time that the Ministry for Guidance and Religious Endowments has confirmed the policy.
Since South Sudan seceded, the Christian community in Sudan has faced increased harassment from the government. Christians have been detained by the National Intelligence Security Services (NISS) and non-Sudanese Christians have been deported or refused entry into the country. Church buildings have been demolished, often with less than 24 hours notice, and church properties have been vandalised with impunity.
