Open Doors is seeking a million signatures on a petition requesting the United Nations, African Union, EU, and governments around the world to take action for persecuted Christians in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Arise Africa campaign has already garnered 550,000 signatures for the millions of Christians facing violence and displacement in the region. According to Open Doors, more than 90% of Christians killed for their faith last year were in sub-Saharan Africa, where increasing violence is largely driven by Islamist extremists taking advantage of political instability in the region.
In addition to the rising death toll, a displacement crisis has emerged with 16 million Christians forced to flee their homes. Most are currently living in camps for IDPs (internally displaced people) and many have lost their land and livelihood to Islamist militants, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Pastor Soré and his family were some of those who had to flee due to persecution and now live in two tents in an isolated area.
“When the terrorists come to churches and find Christians, they tell them that Christianity’s time is over, and they should turn to the Islamist religion,” he told Open Doors. “They warn Christians to stop conducting services. After warning, when they come back later and find you in the church, they kill you.”
The deadline for the Arise Africa petition is the end of October, after which Open Doors hopes to present it to global authorities before Christmas. To sign the petition, visit opendoorsuk.org/act/arise-africa.
