El Fasher, Sudan — In a tragic development underscoring the deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Father Luka Jomo, a Catholic parish priest serving in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, was killed during a violent assault on the city by paramilitary forces. The attack occurred two days ago and is part of a broader escalation in the Sudanese civil conflict that has gripped the region since April 2023.
According to local sources and church officials, Father Jomo is believed to be the first Catholic priest killed in the current conflict. His death has sparked grief among the Christian community and renewed calls for international attention to the intensifying violence and deteriorating conditions in Darfur.
El Fasher, a strategic and densely populated urban center in North Darfur, has been under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—a powerful paramilitary group that has been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in a protracted and brutal struggle for control. The city has witnessed near-constant bombardment, looting, and attacks on civilians, resulting in widespread displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of life.
Father Jomo had reportedly remained in El Fasher to support his community despite the ongoing hostilities. Known for his pastoral care and dedication to humanitarian outreach, he had become a symbol of hope for both Christians and Muslims amid the chaos.
Church leaders and humanitarian organizations have condemned the killing, describing it as part of a broader pattern of indiscriminate violence that has placed civilians, religious personnel, and aid workers at grave risk.
“Father Luka’s death is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of religious minorities and the civilians trapped in this devastating conflict,” said a spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of El Obeid, which oversees parishes in Darfur. “His commitment to peace and service will not be forgotten.”
The ongoing civil war in Sudan, which erupted following a breakdown in power-sharing between military factions in April 2023, has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory. The United Nations estimates that over 9 million people have been displaced, with tens of thousands killed and many more lacking access to food, water, and medical care.
Human rights groups continue to document reports of war crimes, ethnic violence, and targeted attacks on civilians, particularly in Darfur—a region with a long and painful history of conflict.
Calls are mounting for the international community to increase diplomatic pressure on the warring factions, expand humanitarian access, and prioritize the protection of civilians and religious figures who often remain on the front lines of crisis response.
Father Luka Jomo’s death marks a somber milestone in the ongoing tragedy unfolding in Sudan, highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire and renewed efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
