JUBA, South Sudan — Police and security personnel dispersed a congregation keeping vigil over its property in North Khartoum, South Sudan, and arrested five church leaders Nov. 25.
Authorities arrived at noon at the compound of Khartoum Bahri Evangelical Church where they had recently demolished a pastor’s house and church wall and threatened to arrest members of the congregation camped out on the site of the destroyed house.
Five church leaders were arrested for refusing to surrender the property as they encouraged the church to remain vigilant. The leaders of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church-affiliated congregation were taken to Khartoum North Police Station.
After a bulldozer accompanied by police knocked down a wall of the church and houses Nov. 17–18, the Christians formed a human barrier to face down further demolition attempts Nov. 19–20.
Church leaders hold ownership papers to the property and believe any contract surrendering it comes from a government ruse.
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