The government of Sudan has confirmed that it is banning the construction of new churches in its country.

 
The new law has prompted deep concern from Christian groups in a country which is predominantly Muslim.
Chief Operating Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Andy Dipper, expressed his shock concerning the new development saying: "We are deeply concerned by Minister Shalil Abdullah's statement reaffirming the policy to deny new church permits
. This policy, and the continued practice of demolishing and confiscating church land, constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief, guaranteed in article 6 and 38 of Sudan's Interim Constitution as well as article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Sudan is signatory."
Abdullah, the Sudanese Minister for Guidance and Religious Endowments, reportedly gave a reason for the law saying that due to the country's separation from South Sudan, where many Christians have fled, the existing churches in the Republic of Sudan are sufficient for the nation's minority Christians.
But the CSW say that the Christian community in Sudan continue to face "increased harassment" from the government, with church buildings being demolished with little notice and church properties vandalized with impunity.
Expressing his concern for the the treatment of Christians in Sudan, the Catholic Bishop of the South Sudanese diocese of Tambura-Yambio, Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala said, "Bishops and priests are not granted passports and they do not have legal status. They are able to leave the country but re-entry may be refused. Priests have already been expelled; and the bishops are condemned to remain silent."
Sudan has been ranked on a watchdog group’s list, Open Door, as the number 11 country on the 2014 World Watch list where Christians face the most persecution, which noted that believers face faith-related killings, forced marriages, deportations, and damages to church property.