AFRICA/SUDAN-The Christians of Khartoum concerned about the clashes between Sudan and South Sudan

Monday, 23 April 2012

Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) - Fighting between northern and southern Sudan are having serious consequences on the Christian community living in Khartoum and other Sudanese areas. "Christians are afraid because two days ago, during the demonstrations to protest the occupation of Heglig by South Sudanese troops, the voice of extremists was heard inciting people to attack Christian places of worship in the capital of Sudan" this is what Church sources from Khartoum report to the Agency.
"A group of thugs tried to attack an Anglican church, but fortunately there have not been other episodes of violence."
According to reports from the site "Sudan Tribune", a group of extremists led by Muhammad Abdel-Kareem, tried to march towards the Anglican Church of Sawafi, but was blocked by security forces before they could reach the place of worship. "The situation now is a bit calmer, but still the problem of thousands of citizens, from southern Sudan, seeking to regularize their position in order to stay in Khartoum remains," said sources of Fides.
Meanwhile Heglig, an area rich in oil, disputed between Sudan and South Sudan started again on April 20 by soldiers in Khartoum, after heavy fighting with the southern Sudanese soldiers who had occupied it on April 10. In a statement, the Sudanese army claims to have killed 1,200 South Sudanese military, a figure that is currently not possible to verify. News reports show that oil installations in the area were heavily damaged.
Despite the resumption of Heglig, the bombings by Sudanese aircraft on the border areas of South Sudan, in particular of Bentiu, the capital of Unity State do not stop. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/4/2012)


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