This article is published in collaboration with Open Doors.

Today, more than 35 conflicts are ongoing across around 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The escalating cycle of violence has left over 45 million people impoverished and displaced. At least one third of them (16 million) are Christians. This has taken place with very little international attention and remains largely underreported.

Countries and regions have been torn apart by years of war between armed groups. The driving forces behind these conflicts are primarily economic and political interests. In addition, Africa’s natural resources are being exploited at unjust and unfair prices. As violence escalates, innocent people are paying with their lives.

Conflicts that previous generations managed to resolve peacefully are now being manipulated by special interests. In particular, the rise of fundamentalist Muslim groups has contributed significantly to the escalation of ongoing conflicts. A clear example of this is the conflict between the Fulani nomadic group and surrounding farming communities in Nigeria. In a short period of time, massive violence has eroded societal institutions, and the country’s government is losing local influence at the same pace as the cycle of violence and retaliation intensifies. In the long term, this will lead to even greater challenges.

The vulnerability of Christians in Africa has more than doubled over the past 6–8 years. Persecution is often violent in nature and has devastating consequences for our brothers and sisters. Each year, more than 1,700 churches are destroyed, and many Christian communities are forced to flee their homes.

When a house catches fire in a rural African village, people call on their neighbors for help. They act quickly to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes and risking the destruction of the entire village. Africa’s house is on fire! Churches are literally burning, and cries for help are rising to their neighbors. Arise Africa is a call for help to God’s people all over the world.

Peter Paulsson
Secretary General
Open Doors Sweden

Om du vill engagera dig för de kristna i Afrika, kan du signera Open Doors namninsamling och visa att de inte står ensamma:

Sverige: https://www.open-doors.se/engagera-dig/Aktuella-kampanjer/ariseafrica25/
Utomlands: https://leavesofhealing.org/petition