Regardless of the Sudanese civil battle that’s devastated the area, the All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Khartoum continues to be standing. However its compound is now a graveyard, with a vandalized altar and lacking pews, which have been chopped by troopers for firewood, in keeping with Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo.

Initially of the battle in April 2023, the cathedral was the seat of Kondo, the 67-year-old primate of the Episcopal (Anglican) Church of Sudan. On April 15, 2023, fighters from the paramilitary Speedy Assist Forces rapidly seized the compound, flipping it into an operation base whereas Kondo and his household remained inside.

“It occurred very abruptly. No one anticipated it,” Kondo recalled, talking to RNS from Port Sudan, a metropolis on the Purple Sea the place he has sought refuge since June of final yr. “It was Saturday after we have been within the workplace getting ready for the Sunday service, after the primary week of Easter Sunday. We heard a really heavy sound of gunfire, solely to get out and discover heavy smoke billowing close by.”

The battle for management over northeast Africa is being fought between two rival factions of the navy authorities of Sudan: the Sudanese Armed Forces, beneath Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Speedy Assist Forces and its allies, beneath the Janjaweed chief Hemedti. The factions turned on one another after collectively wresting management of the civilian authorities.

Restrictions on media and support entry have made exact statistics on the dimensions of devastation arduous to acquire. The United Nations estimates that 750,000 persons are at risk of hunger, whereas U.S. envoy Tom Perriello has estimated that the battle has killed as many as 150,000 individuals. Different estimates are a lot decrease, at about 15,000 confirmed deaths. The battle has additionally displaced greater than 10 million individuals, making it the biggest world displacement disaster, and left an extra 25 million in pressing want of humanitarian support, over half of the nation’s inhabitants.

For some, that is the second civil battle they’ve fled lately. In South Sudan, practically 400,000 individuals have been killed in clashes from 2013 to 2018.

The cathedral is near the military headquarters and the airport, the place the full-scale battle broke out throughout Ramadan final yr. With the armed confrontation intensifying, the Speedy Assist Forces had rushed its troopers to encompass the church compound, hoping the place of worship wouldn’t be bombed and would assure them some safety.

“They have been there on the gate and we have been unable to do something. We have been unable to get out,” Kondo mentioned. “All of the households that have been there gathered within the church corridor. Different individuals additionally ran and joined us. We spent three nights there.”

After three days within the cathedral’s basement with out water or meals, Kondo and different leaders determined to depart. After interrogations at gunpoint, the troopers lastly allowed them to go. The church leaders and their households then walked for an hour and a half to seek out transport to take them to the south of Khartoum with much less violence. Kondo’s household remained there for 2 months, solely to maneuver once more after the bombardment grew to become extra intense and nearer.

“One of many shells fell close to the place we have been,” Kondo mentioned. He then determined to maneuver along with his household to Port Sudan. “It was very troublesome, however we thank God. He has been our protector.”

In Port Sudan, Kondo continues to name for peace as he ministers within the diocese there, whereas staying in contact with Anglicans nonetheless in Khartoum.

“There are pastors who’re nonetheless with the individuals there and I inform them to be sturdy and never be afraid,” Kondo mentioned.

Out of 33 Anglican church buildings within the larger Khartoum space, solely 5 are not functioning.

The archbishop is offended that many individuals have died in what he calls a useless and mindless battle.

“I wish to urge parachurch organizations to affix within the effort to ship reduction meals to the individuals of Sudan. If meals is just not given, many individuals are going to die,” Kondo mentioned.

Lower than 3% of Sudan’s inhabitants is Christian, whereas 91% is Muslim, in keeping with 2020 Pew Analysis Middle knowledge. To this point, the preventing armies have attacked or destroyed 165 church buildings, in keeping with Open Doorways.

The battle has additionally emptied many of the senior church leaders and missionary organizations from Khartoum.

Kondo needs the 2 preventing factions to finish the battle and agree to offer peace to Sudan’s individuals, however for that to occur, the nations supplying weapons to the 2 events should cease, he mentioned.

The worldwide group has been trying to carry the preventing factions to the negotiating desk. Final month’s U.S.-led peace talks in Switzerland ended with no deal, similar to two earlier ones in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Because the battle continues, many Sudanese are dying from ailments, starvation and pure disasters resembling floods. The U.N. has warned that the violence might flip into or be acknowledged as a genocide, with reviews of civilians being focused based mostly on their ethnicity. However Kondo mentioned he nonetheless hopes in God.

“Sure, we’re in hassle, the nation is in hassle, however we all know God is our refuge,” he mentioned.