Sudan is one of the most impoverished and chaotic countries in the world, with the nation’s military coup on Monday leaving political leaders imprisoned, citizens fearful, and overall uncertainty raging.
In the latest chaos, the BBC noted that civilian rule was suspended this week and military leaders took over. The current state of emergency unfolded just two years after the 2019 ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir.
Al-Bashir is currently imprisoned in Sudan on war crimes and genocide charges.
CNN has more about the dynamics inside the country in recent years—and the military’s arguments for its recent moves:
Sudan had been ruled by an uneasy alliance between the military and civilian groups since 2019. But on Monday, the military effectively took control, dissolving the power-sharing Sovereign Council and transitional government, and temporarily detaining Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
Sudan’s top general, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said that the agreement with civilian members of the country’s transitional sovereign council “became a conflict” over the past two years, “threatening peace and unity” in Sudan. Several articles of the constitution have been suspended and state governors removed, Burhan also said.
President Joe Biden on Thursday publicly called for a return to the civilian-led governance that had been in place before the coup.
“The Sudanese people must be allowed to protest peacefully and the civilian-led transitional government must be restored,” Biden said in a statement.
It’s unclear what will happen next, but here are three reasons Christians should be fervently praying for Sudan:
Protestors Have Died
Biden’s comments about protestors being able to peacefully assemble came amid reports of deaths among those taking to the streets in opposition to the military coup.
Reuters reported Thursday that at least 11 people had died—and considering the uncertainty and chaos, the situation could take a much darker turn.
In this frame taken from video people gather during a protest in Khartoum, Sudan, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. Military forces arrested Sudan’s acting prime minister and senior government officials Monday, disrupted internet access and blocked bridges in the capital Khartoum, the country’s information ministry said, describing the actions as a coup. In response, thousands flooded the streets of Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman to protest the apparent military takeover. (New Sudan NNS via AP)
As of Thursday, thousands of people were taking to the streets to make their voices heard. Reports of well over 100 injuries have also circulated.
“I am scared that this country will catch fire. We’re scared these people will kill our children,” one elderly woman said told Reuters. “There’s been enough death.”
It’s important to pray for peace, for the safety of protestors and for cool heads to prevail on all sides.
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