Africa
Egypt: mosque attack
The village where 305 worshippers were killed by Salafi militants on 24th November had been warned against hosting Sufi gatherings. Salafi Muslims follow an ultra-conservative Islam and believe Sufis are heretics. This attack,…
Uganda: Over 9,000 drop out after registering for PLE (Primary Leaving Examination)
Uganda: Over 9,000 drop out after registering for PLE (Primary Leaving Examination) Pupils who pass their PLE exam can progress to secondary school. Primary school tuition is free but pupils, especially in rural…
Zimbabwe: Celebrations - then what?
On the 22nd November, when President Mugabe resigned, celebrations on the streets resembled scenes inside a stadium after a soccer world cup victory. Like many Sub Saharan Africa countries, Zimbabwe’s population is young,…
Zimbabwe crisis
Vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa had been expected to succeed his lifelong political partner, Robert Mugabe, but he was sacked, supposedly so that Mugabe’s wife could succeed him instead. On 10 November Mnangagwa threatened to…
Zimbabwe: Christian leaders speak out
The Archdiocese of Harare issued a statement after the armed forces had taken over. The general secretary of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Rev Kenneth Mtata, called on politicians and social leaders to…
Uganda: property theft from widows
In 2012, International Justice Mission (IJM) began a project in Uganda to improve the legal response when criminals attempt to steal from widows. An IJM study showed that nearly one in three widows…
Mali: Christian persecutions
A church leader in Mali reports, ‘Our churches and chapels are now being targeted by extremists, who have told Christians not to gather to pray’. In September and October, extremists ransacked and burned…
UK missionaries kidnapped in Nigeria
On 13 October four Britons were snatched by gunmen in Nigeria’s southern Delta state. The region holds most of the country’s crude oil and is Nigeria’s economic mainstay. Kidnapping for ransom is common…
South Africa: pray for an end to the drought
South Africa is experiencing a devastating drought in five regions; rain is urgently needed in many other areas. In some areas this drought has been going on for nearly 5 years. Every day…
Uganda: combating violence against children
According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (2012), more than half of 15- to 19-year old girls have experienced physical or sexual violence. In an effort to reduce the large number of…
