Sudanese Christians killed or kidnapped in multiple attacks

Church leaders and other believers have been killed or kidnapped in a spate of recent attacks in Sudan.

Rising violence in Sudan has seen two church leaders and six others killed in recent attacks on faith communities. The ongoing war and escalating tribal and factional conflict are a backdrop for increasing threat to our brothers and sisters.

Pastor Abdel Ibris Jongool led an Episcopal church in the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan. He was shot by extremists on 24 July 2026 and died a few days later. The previous day, six civilians had also been shot and killed in the same region: Dabbi area of Heiban District.

The militants responsible for the murders are members of a breakaway group from the rebel Sudan’s People Liberation Army-North (SPLA/M-N). The SPLA/M-N is a political party and militant organisation active close to the border with South Sudan, and are allied with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

Christians at an Anglican seminary, serving both dioceses of the Nuba Mountains, were also attacked: dozens of worshippers have been kidnapped. While 32 have been released, an unknown number are still missing.

Catholic priest killed

In a separate attack in South Kordofan, Father Youhanna Al-Amin, a Catholic priest, was killed on 19 June. It is reported that this was a ‘revenge attack’, after Father Youhanna alert the authorities to the theft of medicines that were being kept for the community in the church. Two of his security guards were also shot and one later died because of his injuries. Father Youhanna had chosen to remain with his parish, in the face of escalating dangers.

Two leaders of the Sudanese Church of Christ were also kidnapped recently: Pastor Yaqob Ibrahim Tia on 23 July and Zakaria Suliman Jana on the morning of 31 July. Tia was kidnapped along with his two sons, his nephew and the brother of another priest. Thankfully, they were released on 28 July and 1 August, respectively.

The motivation behind this pattern violence is very complex. According to a local Open Doors source, many church leaders are being targeted in the south of Sudan – a predominantly Christian area – by Islamist extremist militias due to tribal issues relating to gold in the area. The struggle for access to lucrative gold resources has deepened divisions among local ethnic groups, fuelled militia activity and contributed to recurring clashes, making resource competition a key driver of instability across the region. At the same time, church leaders and believers appear to be particularly vulnerable to targeting for their faith. Sudan is number four on the World Watch List, and converts from Islam are particularly vulnerable.

Devastating impact on Christians

War between the RSF and the SAF began in April 2023, and South Kordofan remains one of the country’s most volatile regions. The conflict is having a devastating impact on Christian communities, with churches increasingly subjected to destruction, occupation and attacks on clergy.

Churches that once served as neutral community spaces and humanitarian shelters have become targets in the fighting. Armed groups, including the SAF and RSF, have reportedly occupied church buildings for military purposes, exposing them to retaliatory strikes. As a result, many churches across Sudan, including in Kordofan, have been damaged or destroyed.

Religious leaders have also faced growing threats. Clergy have been targeted in killings, kidnappings and intimidation campaigns, with local church leaders reporting that pastors and priests are increasingly vulnerable amid worsening insecurity. Some attacks have been linked to disputes over humanitarian aid, while kidnappings have been used to demand ransom and spread fear within communities.

The violence has further disrupted humanitarian assistance in the Nuba Mountains, where churches play a crucial role in providing aid, healthcare and education. Raids on church compounds have led to the loss of food, medicine and other relief supplies, undermining support for vulnerable families.

As insecurity deepens, many Christian families have fled their homes, seeking refuge in remote areas or across international borders. Congregations whose churches have been destroyed or abandoned increasingly gather in temporary locations, including outdoor meeting places and displacement camps, in an effort to continue worship while avoiding the risks posed by ongoing conflict.