Sudan, North Africa
Population: 39,379,358
Christians: 5%
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Persecution Ranking: 30th
Political Leader: President
Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BashirReligious Freedom in Constitution: Yes
Since gaining independence from the British in 1956, Sudan has had only 11 years of peace. The year 1983 marked the beginning of a brutal civil war between northern and southern Sudan which spanned more than two decades. The war finally ended in January 2005, making it the longest running military conflict in Africa. In that time, two million people have died in the fighting as well as from starvation and martyrdom. A peace agreement was signed in January 2005, when John Garang, the leader of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement, was installed as Vice-President. Southern Sudan was given permission to rule herself, at least for the next six years. However, Garang was killed in August 2005 in a helicopter crash while traveling back from Uganda. This led to widespread rioting and the loss of 130 lives. Meanwhile a humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region continues to claim lives and create thousands of refugees. Numerous restrictions on religious freedom exist, particularly in the north where, for example, apostasy carries the death penalty. The good news is that "Sudan is home to many thousands of dedicated Christians," according to the prayer guide Light the Window, and "they have been able to hold on through many atrocities because of their strong faith."
