Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali of Sudan’s Diocese of El-Obeid has recounted his traumatic experience of torture and near-death at the hands of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), one of the factions embroiled in Sudan’s devastating civil war. The bishop and his accompanying deacon were attacked while traveling within the conflict-ridden nation.

Bishop Tombe Trille’s ordeal was detailed in a communication with Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala of South Sudan’s Diocese of Tombura-Yambio. The report, shared with ACI Africa, the Catholic News Agency’s (CNA) African partner, highlights the severity of the violence gripping Sudan. Specific details about the exact location of the incident or the journey’s starting point remain unclear.

In his report, Bishop Tombe Trille, a former president of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, described facing initial harassment from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) before falling into the hands of the RSF. “I just arrived in El Obeid together with Deacon Joseph. This time, I was badly treated,” he wrote.

The SAF confiscated cash, accusing the bishop of carrying prohibited foreign currency. Shortly afterward, the RSF subjected the bishop to severe physical assault. “I was given countless heavy blows on the neck, forehead, my face, and both sides of my head,” he recounted.

The violent attack left him so seriously injured that he struggled to move his jaws or consume food. Reflecting on the ordeal, he said, “Together with [Deacon Joseph], we narrowly missed martyrdom [before] one leader said, ‘That is enough.’” Bishop Tombe Trille expressed gratitude for the prayers that sustained him during this harrowing experience.

This is not the first time the bishop has faced mortal danger amidst Sudan’s escalating violence. On April 20, 2023, just days after the conflict between SAF and RSF erupted, rockets struck the premises of Mary Queen of Africa Cathedral in El-Obeid. The attack destroyed the main gate and parts of the priests’ residence while the bishop and clergy were praying. Miraculously, no one was injured.

The war, now in its second year, has claimed an estimated 61,202 lives, with 26,024 deaths attributed directly to injuries from the conflict, according to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s Sudan Research Group. The violence has also caused massive displacements, deepening the humanitarian crisis.

Bishop Tombe Trille has been a vocal advocate for peace, persistently calling for dialogue between the warring factions. In a past interview with ACI Africa, he lamented the absence of any meaningful steps toward reconciliation. “So far, there is not even a clue to the light of peace dialogue that can bring hope for the Sudanese,” he said.

Criticizing the unyielding stance of both SAF and RSF, the bishop observed, “Our leaders are not ready for peace. Fighting and conflict have the upper hand as we hear them say, ‘Unless we defeat the other group, we won’t put down weapons.’” He warned that continued hostilities would only deepen ethnic divides and perpetuate suffering.

Bishop Tombe Trille has appealed for prayers and international support, emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan. He also urged neighboring South Sudanese communities to extend compassion and share resources with Sudanese refugees fleeing the violence, helping them feel welcome despite the challenging circumstances.

As the crisis continues to unfold, the bishop’s story stands as a testament to the courage of those advocating for peace and justice amidst unimaginable hardship.