Escalating persecution in Africa

 

International Christian Concern (ICC) released a comprehensive report, “Troubling Trends: Escalating Persecution of Christians in Africa,” highlighting the alarming increase in violence and persecution against Christians across the continent. The report details a disturbing rise in targeted attacks, particularly in countries with large Christian populations, such as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Kenya. It presents specific incidents from the first quarter of 2025, revealing a pattern of brutal killings, abductions, and displacement. Nigeria, in particular, continues to be identified as one of the most dangerous countries for Christians, with thousands murdered for their faith in recent years, and ongoing violence spreading from northern states into the Middle Belt and further south.

The report underscores the critical role of Islamic militant groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the DRC and al-Shabab in Kenya, in perpetrating these atrocities. In the DRC, where 95% of the population is Christian, the ADF has been responsible for widespread terror, leading to numerous deaths and mass displacement, especially in the eastern provinces like North Kivu. Similarly, in Kenya, despite a Christian majority, radical groups and complicit government officials contribute to the increased persecution, particularly in the northeast and coastal areas.

The report expresses concern over the international community’s insufficient focus on these escalating crises, with neither the U.S. Dept. of State nor the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) yet identifying DRC as a Country of Particular Concern. This designation would enable specific sanctions and policy actions.

ICC is calling for urgent international attention and action to address these escalating trends. The report highlights ongoing efforts in the U.S. Congress, such as H.Res. 220, which seeks to reinstate Nigeria’s classification as a Country of Particular Concern. ICC urges U.S. citizens to contact their representatives and advocate for its passage.

To read the full report, click here.

 

To read more news stories, visit the ICC Newsroom. For interviews, please email press@persecution.org.