Christian school taken over in South Sudan by police

MADANI, South Sudan — Authorities in southeastern Sudan arrested the headmaster of a Christian school in mid-September and took over the school’s property, sources said.

Armed police and officials from the National Intelligence and Security Services on Sept. 5 arrested Samuel Suliman and 12 teachers at the school in Madani, capital of Al Jazirah state.

The Christians were accused of supporting the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North, a rebel group fighting government forces farther south.

Strongly denying the charge after the accused were released on bail following eight hours in jail, Suliman said officers presented an official letter from the National Ministry of Guidance and Endowments, addressed to the State Ministry of Social Welfare, ordering the handover of Evangelical Basic School to the government.
The school serves more than 1,000 students ages 3–18 and belongs to the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church. (MS)