Ten years after ISIS’s attempt to establish a foothold in the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa has become the new jihadist El Dorado. Groups affiliated with al-Qaeda (JNIM) and the Islamic State (EIGS) are stepping up their offensives in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. This geographical barrier is giving way to a plan for a Sahelian caliphate. The terrorist strategy is evolving: from rural areas, the groups are moving to encircle urban centers and are threatening Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire, in a scenario reminiscent of the fall of Afghanistan.

This security crisis is compounded by a deep social divide. The local culture of tolerance has been shattered by ethnic and religious divisions that have been deliberately exacerbated. Christian communities are prime targets, facing the tragic choice between forced conversion or death. The tragedy in Silgadji (the murder of a pastor in Burkina Faso) in 2019 marked the beginning of systematic persecution: regions emptied of their minorities, churches closed, and discriminatory taxes imposed. Sub-Saharan Africa is now the region with the most severe religious persecution in the world.

Image caption: Jihadist in Timbuktu, credit Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Despite this chaos—including 2 million displaced people in Burkina Faso—the crisis receives little attention in the West. Yet instability in the Sahel threatens global security by fueling migration routes and trafficking networks toward Europe. To stem this tide, a overhaul of foreign policies is urgently needed. A comprehensive approach must rely on local faith-based organizations and their community media. Thanks to their deep social roots, these actors are indispensable pillars for information, education, and community mediation. Sustainable reconstruction cannot happen without these voices on the ground.

Illia Djadi, an expert on security and religious freedom (Open Doors International). Member of Médias Ébène and the leadership of FOMECAF, a network of pan-African radio stations.

In a special nationwide broadcast that transcends all religious divides, Emmanuel Ziehli speaks with four leading figures in the Ivorian media landscape. Joined byÉtienne Saï (CEFCA), Kassim Traoré (TV and Radio Hosanna), Niomouti Samuel (Radio Fréquence Vie), and Justin (Radio Nationale Catholique – RNC), he delivers an exclusive interview that brings together all faiths. A unique media event to address the country’s current challenges in a spirit of dialogue and brotherhood.

The "last-mile" medium

Despite the ubiquity of social media, radio remains the dominant medium in Africa. Why? Because it is the only medium capable of overcoming the barriers of illiteracy and reaching even the most isolated settlements. As Emmanuel Ziehli points out, it is not merely a receiver of sounds; it is a “traveling companion” that speaks directly to the listener’s heart and mind, where other screens fall silent.

Professionalism and Ethics: The Challenge of Quality

One of the key messages from the Abidjan seminar is the call for greater professionalism. According to our guest contributor, commitment must not come at the expense of competence.

• Moving Beyond Amateurism: Producing Rigorous, Fact-Checked Content.
• Ethics on the Air: In contexts that are sometimes fragile, radio has the power to build peace or fuel tensions. FOMECAF’s stance is clear: radio must be a vehicle for reconciliation and education.

“Every open microphone is a responsibility. We don’t just broadcast signals; we broadcast influence.” — Emmanuel Ziehli

The Digital Shift: The Convergence of FM and the Web

The seminar also addresses technological change. Far from being at odds with the Internet, African radio today relies on digital technology to expand its reach. Podcasts, streaming, and social media are becoming allies of FM radio, helping it reach a hyper-connected youth audience without neglecting its traditional listeners.

North-South Synergy for Tomorrow

FOMECAF 2026 is not just a place for learning; it is a space for sharing. The combination of technical expertise and the realities on the ground in Africa creates a unique dynamic. The ultimate goal? For every radio station to become a true driver of local development, addressing issues of health, agriculture, and citizenship with a strong and credible voice.

ABIDJAN, February 1, 2026 – The curtain has fallen on a pivotal event for the religious media landscape. After three days of intense discussions at the Center for Training and Audiovisual Communication (CEFCA), the Forum of Christian Media in Francophone Africa (FOMECAF) closed its national seminar. Under the theme "Resilience and Responsibility of Christian Media in the Face of Radicalism," this strategic meeting delivered on its promises in terms of mobilization and professional expertise.

A large-scale national mobilization

The seminar confirmed FOMECAF's regional roots with figures that demonstrate the urgency of the issues addressed:

• 57 participants (including 13 women and 44 men) from 24 Christian media outlets.
• Seven cities in Côte d'Ivoire mobilized: Abidjan, Abengourou, Bouaké, Yamoussoukro, Aboisso, Korhogo, and Bonoua.

Seven trainers combining national and international expertise to supervise the work.

Strong voices for a mission of peace

FOMECAF's commitment to lasting peace was supported by high-level interventions. The official opening was marked by the presence of Ms. Odette N'Zi, Third Deputy Mayor of Cocody, representing Mayor Jean-Marc Yacé.

• Industry leaders reaffirmed their shared vision during the sessions:
• Ms. Olivia Beugré, Chair of the FOMECAF Bureau.
• Mr. Emmanuel Ziehli, President of Médias Ébène and main partner of the event.
• Prof. Abdoulaye Sangho, Chair of the Organizing Committee.
• Mr. Germain Coulibaly, Chief Executive Officer of CEFCA.

The keynote speaker, Illia Djadi, an analyst at the NGO Open Doors, captivated the audience with his analysis of the rise of extremism in the Sahel, emphasizing the crucial responsibility of Christian media in preventing radicalization.

Practical, action-oriented workshops

Four training centers have made it possible to transform theoretical knowledge into practical skills:

• Media management: Strategies for seeking funding, with Denis Steffen.
• Journalism & AI: Combating misinformation and integrating artificial intelligence, with Emmanuel Ziehli, Mawuéna Abotchi, and Joël Kokou Djagbavi.
• Sound engineering: Sound recording and optimization, under the direction of Andrea Luzi.
• FM broadcasting: Technical expertise and broadcasting quality, with Honoré Chabi Boni.

A new roadmap for communicators

The work resulted in strategic recommendations for the future of religious media in Côte d'Ivoire:

• Unity of action: Creation of digital platforms to promote concerted action among professionals.
• Technological shift: Responsible integration of AI and strategic development of podcasts to expand audience reach.
• Ethics and vigilance: A strengthened commitment against hate speech and misinformation.

"Abidjan 2026 is not just a simple closing ceremony, it is the consolidation of a community of communicators determined to make every microphone and every pen an instrument of social cohesion and stability for the nation."