Reports of violent incidents that occurred in Greater Khartoum over the weekend are alarming. Churches and mosques were attacked, hospitals were raided, and there were reports of casualties. The situation is taking on a dangerous dimension.
On Sunday morning, an armed group attacked the Mar Girgis (St. George) Church in El Musalma in Omdurman. Worshippers were gathering for Sunday service when bullets were fired, injuring three people, and a church guard.
The priest, assistant bishop Anba Sarabamon, was also assaulted, and his residence at the church premises was destroyed. The dormitories for elderly and young women were raided, and their belongings stolen.
The Democratic Lawyers Front reported that the attackers rode in an ordinary vehicle and shot at people present. This is a heartbreaking development in Sudan, which has already been dealing with political turmoil, including the removal of the previous president in April.
El Azhari Mosque in Khartoum and Bur’i El Mosque in El Dereisa were also bombed, with one worshipper reportedly killed.
In addition to these attacks, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) allegedly raided two hospitals over the weekend, further escalating tensions in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused RSF paramilitaries of assaulting staff members at the Jabra Hospital for Emergency and Injuries in Khartoum, stealing ambulances, and terrorizing patients.
Similarly, the Ahmed Gasim Cardiac Surgery and Kidney Transplant Hospital in Khartoum North was reportedly raided, and patients had to be transferred to “other, safer hospitals” due to concerns over their safety.
The situation highlights the need for authorities to protect citizens and take steps to curb violence in the country. It is time for a collective effort to create a safer environment for all Sudanese citizens, regardless of their religious or political affiliations.
