Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali, the bishop of the Diocese of El-Obeid in Sudan, has shared a harrowing experience of being tortured and seriously injured by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) while travelling with a deacon. The bishop, a former president of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, reported that they were first harassed by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), who confiscated some cash in USD, claiming it was forbidden hard currency.
After the harassment, they encountered the RSF, who brutally beat the bishop, leaving him with severe injuries, including heavy blows to the neck, forehead, face, and head. The bishop was unable to move his jaws and couldn’t eat solid food. He expressed gratitude for the prayers of many and narrowly escaped martyrdom, thanks to a leader who intervened, saying, “That is enough.” This incident is not the first time Bishop Tombe Trille has faced death, having narrowly escaped a rocket attack on his cathedral in April 2023.
The bishop has been vocal about the devastating impact of the Sudanese war, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and massive displacements. He has questioned the willingness of the warring parties to lay down their weapons and has appealed for prayers, noting the dire humanitarian situation in the country. The war, now in its second year, has reportedly led to 61,202 deaths, with 26,024 killed due to direct injuries from the conflict. Bishop Tombe Trille has urged the people of neighboring South Sudan to share what little they have with the Sudanese refugees and to make them feel at home.