Church Faces Eviction and Religious Persecution, Seeks Support and Prayers

By Majur Chol Khor

The House of Peace Church in Aweil Town of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State in South Sudan is facing eviction and religious persecution after a court case was initiated against it by Honorable Lual Bula, the Northern Bahr El Ghazal State Minister of Finance and Planning.

The church, located in Hai Salam, has been ordered to cease worshiping and vacate the premises within two weeks, according to the court’s ruling.

Pastor Dr. Marko Deng Akot and Mr. William Macham, the owner of the land where the church is situated, appeared before the public prosecutor on Saturday, January 13, 2024. The court case, filed under section (66/333), is believed to have been influenced by Minister Lual Bula, who allegedly used his ministerial power to schedule a court hearing on an unofficial day in Aweil.

Expressing his frustration, Pastor Dr. Marko Deng explained in an interview with Alhuriya via WhatsApp that the church had been worshiping without any issues until the case was opened against them. He revealed that around $5000-$6000 had been invested in the church.

“We have been worshiping peacefully for years until this case was brought against us,” said Pastor Marko. 

“We are deeply saddened by the eviction order as we have invested about $5000-$600 into the church. We believe in the freedom to practice our faith without persecution,” He added. 

The court’s decision to allow the church only two weeks to vacate the premises, despite having over one thousand congregants, has raised concerns among the church community. Pastor Marko expressed worry about the future of the congregants if they are forced to leave.

“We have a large congregation, and it will be a challenge to find an alternative place for them to worship,” Pastor Marko stated. 

“We hope the government will provide us with another plot of land to build a new church.”

The presence of the Minister’s bodyguard during the court hearing was deemed unethical by Pastor Marko. He questioned why the bodyguard was involved in the case, as he had no connection to it.

Efforts to obtain comments from the government and the local court in Aweil were unsuccessful.

In their plea for support, the House of Peace Church is appealing to Governor Tong Akeen Ngor and President Salva Kiir Mayerdit to intervene in the case and protect their right to worship.

“No man is above the law or bigger than God,” the church community argues. 

“Religious persecution should not be tolerated in South Sudan. We seek the support and prayers of the public in our pursuit to continue worshiping in our own place of worship.”

The church community remains hopeful that their plea will be heard and that they will find a resolution to the eviction and religious persecution they are facing.