KHARTOUM, Sudan — Two Catholic priests abducted at gunpoint in Rabak, Sudan, in January have been released amid a wave of forcible conscriptions into rebel southern militias. Their captors — South Sudanese militiamen loyal to (north) Sudan’s Islamic government — accused priests Joseph Makwey and Sylvester Mogga of ties to the South Sudan military. South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan on July 9, 2011, has been in military conflict with (north) Sudan over border areas while staving off southern rebel militias.
The two priests were kidnapped from the compound of St. Josephine Bakhita Catholic Church on Jan. 15 and were released two weeks later, they said, noting the kidnappers had demanded $185,530. Press reports indicated no ransom was paid and that they were released after pressure from influential groups including the government in Khartoum.
Christians in Sudan have complained of a spike in threats against them by South Sudanese militias rebelling against the new South Sudan government. The South Sudanese rebels go house-to-house in Khartoum and other towns in the north abducting mainly Christian men, Christian sources said.
“Christians in Khartoum live in fear,” one church leader said.
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