The Sudanese Intelligence and Security Service last Thursday ordered the director of the Comboni playing fields, Robert Abo, to close the fields.

The sports fields are owned by the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Khartoum, and the place is often used to host large Christian functions and celebrations in Khartoum.

The Comboni grounds are located in the centre of Khartoum, East Palace Street.

A Sudanese activist who follows Christian affairs in Khartoum told Radio Tamazuj from Khartoum that the security justified the closure on the grounds that South Sudanese youth during gathering also loiter on the streets and surroundings outside the playing area.

He revealed that the response of the director of the grounds was that he is not responsible for those who hang around outside the playground but only those who are inside doing some activities.

Abo confirmed the grounds did not host Easter festivities last Sunday as it was closed.

Some sources also from Khartoum confirmed the closure of the playground but acknowledged that it might not continue for long period of time.

“I think it’s’ closed temporarily for a certain period of time. The church leaders are in communication with security authorities. It was only because people were busy with Easter festival celebrations,” a source noted.

Some expect that the grounds may therefore re-open soon.