Nigeria: Fulani militant attacks worsen
Following the killing of 21 Christians and critical injuries to ten more in the Plateau by Fulani militants, believers are increasingly at risk and calling for action from leaders. The violence erupted when Fulani herdsmen set buildings alight in Heipang, an area where many displaced Christians from surrounding villages have been staying. Masara Kim, a Jos journalist, told a Catholic charity that after setting the houses ablaze, they aimed their assault rifles at those trying to flee from the fires. He said, ‘About half of the victims were burnt beyond recognition. At least five of them were infants. It was a heartbreaking scene to witness. They were given a mass burial in a rain-soaked mass grave. These are poor villagers who do not even have money for food, much less for coffins. There were witnesses, but authorities failed to identify the perpetrators.’
Guatemala / Ecuador: voting to end corruption?
Elections in Guatemala and Ecuador are a test of democracy as both have a climate of corruption, tension and violence in politics. In Guatemala’s election on 20 August, anti-corruption candidate Bernardo Arévalo won, despite Guatemala’s court recently ordering his political party into suspension, triggering massive protests and unrest. He denounced the police raid that followed, stating it was an act of ‘political persecution’. Also on 20 August Ecuador voted for a president. Rampant crime blamed on drug gangs, a struggling economy, and a rise in unemployment and migration are the top concerns of voters. The candidate standing against corruption and organised crime was assassinated on 9 August. There was no outright winner on the 20th. The runoff will be on 15 October, between leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez and businessman politician Daniel Noboa. Noboa wants to implement harsh policies in relation to crime, and talks about security, which appeals to those unhappy with the current political system.
Ethiopia: risk of another civil war
An airstrike in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has killed 26 people, as detailed widespread killings of civilians broke out this month. Fano militiamen had flooded towns and cities in Amhara, briefly taking over several of them; they attacked police stations and garrisons, freed prisoners and intermittently took control of Lalibela airport. Early in August federal forces managed to push them out. Ethnic tensions and land conflicts lie behind Amhara’s clashes. This fighting is Ethiopia’s biggest security crisis since the civil war in neighbouring Tigray ended in November 2022, but there is now a state of emergency. Many had hoped Ethiopia was inching back towards stability and away from a conflict that caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. Prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s reputation as a Nobel-prizewinning peacemaker is being shredded. He had hoped to reach deals with the IMF and the World Bank to rescue Ethiopia’s war-wrecked economy.
Democratic Republic of Congo: IS-affiliated extremism
The Allied Democratic Force (ADF), which operates primarily out of the DRC, is a violent extremist group that is gaining power in Central Africa. The known IS affiliate is notorious for targeting Christians in its violent campaigns to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region. A widening recruitment network and an increase in funding overseas contributed to ADF’s bloodiest year yet. While IS lost much of its power and control in Syria and Iraq, its affiliate groups in Afghanistan, the Sahel region, and Central Africa grew stronger. The ADF was listed as one of the worst terrorist groups in 2022. Pray for an end to ADF-led violence in this region. Pray for God to protect Christians throughout the DRC. Pray also for the group’s funding and recruitment network to be cut off.
