By Paschal Norbert
EL OBEID, DECEMBER 3, 2023 (CISA)- Rt Rev Yunan Tombe Trille, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of El Obeid, experienced a traumatic ordeal when he was beaten and robbed by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while returning to Sudan over the weekend. This distressing incident highlights the ongoing dangers facing clergy and civilians in conflict-ridden Sudan.
According to a report from the Catholic Radio Network in South Sudan, Bishop Tombe Trille, who also serves as the President of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSSCBC), was targeted shortly after attending the Eucharistic Congress in Juba on November 24, 2024. The event marked 50 years of the Catholic Church’s hierarchy in Sudan and South Sudan. On November 25, he and other bishops also met with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan to discuss matters of the Church and the region.
The attack occurred as Bishop Tombe was traveling from Renk, a Sudanese border town, to El Obeid. According to sources close to him, the bishop was using public transport when he reached a checkpoint manned by the army. There, he was intercepted because he was carrying some money, a routine practice for travelers being searched, especially when traveling with hard currency. The soldiers reportedly took a small amount of money in USD from him before allowing him to proceed.
However, shortly after, Bishop Tombe was intercepted again, this time by the RSF. They accosted him, took all the remaining money he had, and subjected him to a severe beating. Traveling with a deacon, Bishop Tombe was singled out for the attack, accused by the RSF of being connected to a member of the Sovereign Council from Kordofan. He was also targeted for his ethnicity as a Nuba, an indigenous group from the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan state. The deacon, who is of Nuer ethnicity, was not attacked.
Rt Rev Remijo Adam, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wau, recounted the series of events with sorrow: “Shortly after his release, he fell into the hands of the RSF, who subjected him to severe beatings on his head and neck. He has been unable to eat properly since the attack due to his injuries.”
Despite the ordeal, the source says the bishop remains courageous and determined to stay with his flock amidst the ongoing conflict. The Catholic Church leadership has condemned these brutal acts.
“We are deeply saddened and troubled by this news,” Bishop Remijo stated. He also appealed to President Salva Kiir to engage with the Sudanese government to guarantee Bishop Tombe’s safety or explore relocating him from the diocese if the conditions in Sudan remain perilous.
Bishop Remijo called on the faithful to pray fervently for Sudan, its Church, and all clergy members working under dangerous circumstances. He emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity among the Church and its followers during these turbulent times.
Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict since April 2023, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The war erupted over a power struggle between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the SAF, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), commander of the RSF. The conflict has led to thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, and the collapse of critical infrastructure.
Civilians bear the brunt of the violence, with reports of widespread atrocities, including massacres, sexual violence, and looting. The war has also deepened humanitarian crises, leaving millions without food, medical care, or safe shelter. In the midst of this chaos, religious leaders and humanitarian workers often face grave risks as they strive to provide spiritual and material support to affected communities.
Bishop Tombe’s ordeal is a grim reminder of the insecurity in Sudan and the urgent need for international intervention to halt the violence and protect vulnerable populations, including clergy.
