Christianity is facing a deadly crisis in over half of Africa’s 54 countries, with Christians being persecuted, killed, and displaced in 28 countries on the continent. Nigeria is experiencing the worst situation, with nine out of 10 Christians killed for their faith in 2023 being in the country. The situation is exacerbated by the rise of radical Islam in Africa, leading to increased targeting and persecution of Christians by groups like Boko Haram and al-Shabaab. Open Doors US reports that Nigeria is one of the deadliest places on earth for Christians, with a majority of the deaths worldwide occurring in the country.
In Nigeria, the killing of Christians has been labeled as genocide, with over 8,000 Nigerian Christians killed or abducted from January 2023 to January 2024. Attacks on Christians in Nigeria include being killed, raped, and displaced, as well as being forced to publicly change religions. The violence extends to the destruction of Christian worship places, with over 18,500 being destroyed from 2009-2023. Despite being estimated at 46% of the population, Nigerian Christians face displacement due to attacks from groups like Fulani militant herdsmen who claim land for themselves.
Persecution extends beyond Nigeria to countries like Sudan, where 165 churches have been closed and reports of attacks and destruction continue to come in. In Mozambique, missionaries, priests, and Christians have had to flee a region due to the activities of Islamic insurgent groups. The Bishop of Pemba has highlighted the displacement of over 1 million people in the region since 2017 and called for attention to their plight. The United States government has expressed concern about rising levels of persecution globally, including of Christians, and regularly engages with governments to advocate for improvements in religious freedom.
The Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton emphasized the need for action against those who attack and persecute religious minorities, calling for more effort from free-world governments to shine a light on the suffering of religious minorities facing violent attacks in Africa and other regions. Open Doors US urged the U.S. government to take a strong stance against perpetrators of violence and insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria. In Burkina Faso, Christians are prepared to die for their faith rather than be forced to convert to Islam. Despite efforts to reach out for comment, authorities in Nigeria did not respond.
Overall, the crisis facing Christianity in Africa involves persecution, killings, and displacements of Christians in several countries, with Nigeria at the forefront. The rise of radical Islam has contributed to an increase in attacks on Christians by various groups across the continent. With calls for action and advocacy from organizations like Open Doors US and the Voice of the Martyrs, efforts are being made to address the ongoing persecution and violence against Christians in Africa. The international community, including the United States government, is urged to take a stronger stance in condemning these attacks and advocating for religious freedom for all.
