The evacuation of nuns from Sudan amidst escalating civil conflict highlights a dire humanitarian crisis. Coordinated with Sudanese intelligence, the operation came after prolonged attempts to secure safety in besieged conditions. The ongoing violence has resulted in significant casualties, and the targeting of Christians has increased dramatically, yet the global community largely remains unaware of the growing tragedy.
The dramatic evacuation of nuns and Catholic officials from war-torn Sudan in August last year underscores the severe humanitarian crisis in the region. Amid escalating violence, a small group of Salesian nuns was determined to keep their school and religious center in Khartoum operational, despite facing dire and increasingly dangerous conditions. An investigation revealed that their evacuation involved coordination with Sudanese intelligence, particularly the counter-terrorism unit.
Muzamil, a source involved in the operation, reported that the Catholic evacuees were initially trapped in a compound belonging to the Dar Mariam Primary School. Situations worsened with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) surrounding the area since April 2023, although the Armed Forces maintained control of the compound. The ongoing civil war has led to millions being displaced and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis through extreme violence.
Attempting to organize their own evacuation proved impossible as RSF lines blocked escape routes. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) faced challenges when an earlier evacuation convoy was targeted by the RSF. Eventually, the Sudanese authorities facilitated the evacuation to Omdurman and then Port Sudan after the church intervened formally for assistance.
The RSF has historical ties to the Janjaweed militias notorious for mass atrocities in Darfur, which drew international condemnation and allegations of genocide. Despite this, the ongoing conflict in Sudan remains largely unacknowledged globally, overshadowed by crises in other regions like Ukraine and Gaza, with estimates suggesting as many as 130,000 casualties.
Sister Teresa Lushuka arrived in Sudan in 1989, hopeful for stability. Despite enduring years of conflict in the South, Khartoum initially offered a peaceful environment. As the civil war erupted, the nuns faced severe challenges, including the collapse of the education system, and many families returned to their previous living conditions amid rampant violence.
By November 2023, their school experienced severe attacks, including bombings that damaged structures yet miraculously spared lives. The constant threats necessitated strict rationing of food, but local support, even from small Muslim children, provided some aid. The Sudanese Armed Forces routinely delivered basic supplies, showing the unlikeliest solidarity during crisis.
The nuns faced intensified targeting as the conflict escalated, with assaults on places of worship noted shortly after the civil war began. Food scarcity increased, forcing the nuns and their staff to survive on minimal rations. The RSF’s efforts to prevent their exodus showcased the precariousness of their situation.
Eventually, they were informed of their evacuation plan, which involved a clandestine operation involving boats arranged by intelligence services. The nuns exhibited compassion, refusing to leave their charges behind and successfully evacuating nearly two dozen South Sudanese nationals along with them, undergoing medical examinations before departure.
Post-evacuation, the nuns discovered that life in some SAF-controlled areas felt almost normal, but every evacuee carried stories of loss and disruption due to the civil war. As the global community largely turns a blind eye to the horrors unfolding in Sudan, sexual violence, disease, and starvation continue to plague countless victims far from the warfront. Mekki Elmograbi’s remarks highlight the stark contrast between the awareness of atrocities in the past compared to today’s silence.
The evacuation of nuns from Sudan illustrates the ongoing humanitarian disaster caused by civil war. The severe violence and targeting of Christians showcase the intense suffering endured by many civilians. Despite efforts to evacuate and provide aid, the international response remains inadequate, with the conflict being overshadowed by other global crises. The situation in Sudan calls for renewed international attention and action to address the humanitarian needs of its people.
Original Source: religionunplugged.com
