Central African Republic

Many people in the CAR continue to practice animistic tribal beliefs and participate in unbiblical revenge killings against Muslims. These groups, who falsely identify as Christian, have banded together to form their own militia called the anti-Balaka. The anti-Balaka have committed atrocities just as the Muslim rebels have. Yet, a prevalent minority of biblical Christians (roughly 30 percent of the population) remains faithful and active. They are often the only entity caring for the hundreds of thousands who have been displaced in the country’s conflict. While the CAR’s civil war has presented opportunities for the church to display Christ’s love to a ravaged nation, many churches feel ill-equipped to carry the burdens of their people.

Life for Christians

Because of the civil war between rebel groups identified as “Muslim” and “Christian,” it is hard to separate religious persecution from political violence. There are, however, some clear cases in which believers have been specifically targeted for their Christian witness and other activities of biblical faith. In a four-week period in 2017, five pastors were murdered by Séléka rebels in targeted attacks designed to eliminate their witness for Christ. Reports of other churches and pastors being targeted have become common.

Uganda

Uganda has the reputation of being one of the most Christianized countries in Africa. Many churches or organizations choose it as a destination for short-term trips and mission projects due to its ease of access and welcoming atmosphere. It remains a strongly Christian nation, with high church attendance. However, Uganda’s unique history makes it particularly vulnerable to the influence of Islam. During the 1970s, Uganda was ruled by a dictator named Idi Amin. At one point, Amin visited fellow dictator Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. Gaddafi inspired him to make Uganda a member of the Organization of Islamic Countries and begin to Islamize the country. Many of the policies Amin put into place continue to influence society and government today. Uganda’s parliament even recently passed Sharia banking, which gives zero interest loans to Islamic projects. Arab countries also continue to invest large amounts of resources into furthering Muslim interests within the country. As a result of this, radical Islam’s influence has grown by more than 7 percent in the last three years, and many Christians within the majority Muslim border regions are facing severe persecution, especially those who convert from Islam. Despite this, evangelical churches in Uganda are trying to educate others on what is happening and rise up against the threat of Islam. Many churches are training their leaders how to evangelize Muslims and care for those who become Christians. Members within these churches in Muslim majority areas have even become full-time caretakers for persecuted believers.

Life for Christians

Christian converts from Islam face family pressure and harassment from their Muslim communities. A number of young people who converted to Christianity have been severely beaten and injured by parents or community members. Pastors and churches have been attacked, and some converts have even been killed after their faith became known. The children of families who leave Islam are no longer welcome at school. In some places, laws are passed to limit the spread of Christianity or appropriate church land.

Mozambique

Mozambique is located along the southeastern coast of Africa. It was colonized by the Portuguese in the 1500s and retains Portuguese as its official language. After gaining independence in 1975, Mozambique became a Communist one-party state backed by the Soviet Union. It suffered a protracted and devastating civil war from 1977 to 1992 that resulted in a governing presidential democracy, but the war devastated the country’s economy and infrastructure. Today, Mozambique is among the poorest and most dangerous countries in the world. While the country is majority Christian, the northern provinces are predominantly Muslim. One of these provinces, Cabo Delgado, has endured an Islamic insurgency that began five years ago with attacks on police stations and government buildings. In 2019, when the insurgents pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) in Africa, the attacks intensified. The Islamists targeted villages and overran entire towns, eventually controlling most of Cabo Delgado. In 2021, Rwanda and other countries in southern Africa deployed thousands of troops to the province. They have retaken many large cities, but small-scale attacks still occur. More than 700,000 people are still displaced from their homes in Cabo Delgado province.

Life for Christians:

Christians in the northern part of Cabo Delgado, especially pastors, have suffered greatly, and the insurgency has also affected many nominal Muslims. In smaller attacks on rural villages, extremists often separate Christians from other villagers, persecuting the Christians and their children through extremely inhumane and violent methods. Churches and Christians’ homes are typically destroyed. The believers who flee these attacks are dispersed throughout Mozambique, and many know nothing about the welfare of their family members. Christian converts in other Muslim-majority regions face intense communal persecution and are ostracized from their families after they convert to Christianity.

Ghana has enjoyed relative stability since its independence in 1957. Stable leadership and a solid educational system have helped maintain harmony in this multi-ethnic country. While southern Ghana is predominantly Christian, Islam continues to dominate the north. The country's population consists of about 80 percent Muslims and 20 percent Christians.

Life for Christians:

While 60 percent of Ghana's population claims to follow Christianity, church attendance is never more than ten percent. Islam has been growing at a steady pace through birth rates, immigration and conversion. In addition, Muslims receive benefits such as funding for primary education and scholarships for study in Muslim nations. In Muslim-majority areas, persecution of non-Muslims and religious tensions are increasing. New converts to Christianity are often excommunicated from their families and left without employment or a means of support.

After decades of civil war, South Sudan has become independent from Sudan since July 2011. It is one of the world's poorest countries, ranking among the lowest in many socioeconomic categories. The country's problems are exacerbated by ongoing tensions with Sudan over oil revenues and land borders, fighting between government forces and rebel groups, and inter-communal violence. The maternal mortality rate is among the world's highest, more than two-thirds of the population is illiterate, and half live below the poverty line.

Life for Christians

Considered the world's newest country, South Sudan was born in a spirit of unity, happiness and hope. Despite the immense challenges they face, the inhabitants of this primarily Christian nation are very grateful to have finally achieved freedom from the long, painful domination of north Sudan.

Mali

Once an Islamic cultural center, Mali is a poor but growing country that remains nearly entirely Muslim. Although missionaries arrived in the early 1920s and have worked in most areas of the country, less than 1 percent of Malians are Christian today. Small congregations of believers continue to worship in towns known to be centers of jihadi activity. Several missionaries have been kidnapped in Mali or have been kidnapped and brought to Mali from neighboring countries since 2016. Most of these are still in captivity today. In 2017, threats by jihadi groups led some mission agencies to pull teams from the country.

Life for Christians

During the 2012 civil war, believers fled to the south as extremist groups in the north sought to create an Islamic state. Churches and pastors’ homes were destroyed, but believers were usually not otherwise harmed. Christian converts from Islam face harassment from family members and society. There are open and active churches in the north, but some believers are leaving for the south as the situation worsens. One pastor was forced to leave after receiving several significant death threats; his wife is still dealing with related trauma. A few evangelists have been imprisoned for short periods after being accused of proselytizing.