Illia Djadi is a human rights expert and strategic analyst with the NGO Open Doors in London. He was in Lomé, the capital of Togo, from February 20 to 24 as the keynote speaker at the fifth seminar organized jointly by the Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa (FOMECAF) and the Swiss association Radio Réveil. This year, 70 participants from 15 African countries gathered for five days to discuss a highly topical issue: "Media, tools for peace in a world in conflict." He paints a rather bleak picture of the situation in sub-Saharan Africa. Interview.

Emmanuel Ziehli (EZ) – The NGO you work for, Open Doors, has just published its index of Christian persecution around the world. What is your assessment of the situation here in sub-Saharan Africa?

Illia Djadi (ID) – When we look at this year's index, and in particular the situation on the ground, we see a growing rise in insecurity and persecution linked to Islamic insurgency. Across Africa, more specifically south of the Sahara, there are a multitude of actors, Islamist groups active in this sub-region, who are affecting peaceful coexistence, which is one of the main sources of persecution. This persecution is violent and affects religious minority communities, particularly Christians.

EZ – In particular, you highlight a correlation between climate change and insecurity. How is this possible?

ID – The Sahel countries, specifically the central Sahel, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, are the most affected countries, to name just three. They have in common that they are among the poorest and that, even in normal times, they are severely affected by climate change in terms of drought and flooding and the resulting famine. These regions face harsh climatic realities that particularly affect the nomadic and pastoral communities that inhabit them. Livestock farming and herding are directly impacted by the scarcity of natural resources. Access to water and pastureland is becoming a source of conflict. The Fulani and Tuareg communities, the most vulnerable groups, are the most affected by the consequences of climate change. Another corollary is that it is members of these same communities who are swelling the ranks of terrorist groups. The most vulnerable are also the most exposed to manipulation, indoctrination, and ultimately recruitment into these groups.

EZ – During this seminar, you stated that these groups do not seem as homogeneous as we in Europe tend to perceive them to be.

ID - When we look at the map of violence, we see that there are a multitude of actors involved. Many armed groups are active. In the Sahel, two groups in particular stand out: the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara on the one hand, and the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, linked to Al-Qaeda, on the other. We can therefore see that these two major terrorist families are represented. Beyond the radical Islamist ideology that these two groups have of Islam, they are two opposing actors, two entities that are at war with each other and fighting a fratricidal war with the aim of securing control of these areas in order to establish a "caliphate." Controlling the roads in these regions allows all kinds of trafficking to flourish. A criminal economy has developed in regions that have become "lawless," where drug trafficking, human trafficking, tobacco trafficking, and arms trafficking are rampant. This criminal economy is very lucrative and finances the activities of these groups. They therefore clash to secure control of these resources.

EZ – Beyond the destruction of the social fabric and this "living together," you go so far as to warn of an existential threat to certain countries. Aren't you exaggerating a little?

ID - We must not fear words, but rather accurately assess the situation on the ground and what is really happening there.  Today, the communities that populate these regions, whether Christian or Muslim, have a centuries-old tradition of living in peace with one another. There is a long tradition of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, which is unfortunately under threat today. Jihadist groups are stirring up latent local conflicts and social divisions, amplifying and exploiting them by fueling division. We are now seeing these groups gaining ground in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and their territorial occupation is a cause for grave concern. More than 40% of Burkina Faso's territory is now under the control of terrorist groups.

EZ – Within these "occupied" territories, what are the primary targets of these terrorist groups?

These groups share a common Islamic ideology, which they profess, that of "wanting to establish an Islamic state." They therefore primarily attack Christians, i.e., non-Muslims. But they also attack so-called "moderate" Muslims who do not share this radical interpretation of Islam. They also attack schools, which they see as synonymous with Western Christian education. The name of one of these groups, the sadly well-known "Boko Haram," which literally translates from Arabic as "Western education is forbidden" or "school is forbidden," reflects their intentions. When we consider the central Sahel, which I mention quite often, namely the area hardest hit by terrorist activities, we realize that in Burkina Faso, for example, 6,000 schools are now closed. One million children are out of school. This situation raises fears of a domino effect, whereby within a year or two these vulnerable children will swell the ranks of terrorist groups. They are easy prey for indoctrination. It is urgent to respond to this situation.

EZ – You are also a member of FOMECAF's leadership and a former BBC journalist for Africa. Do you really think that the media can contribute to peace in this region?

ID – Africa's recent history, and more specifically the evolution of the media, shows that they are powerful tools. This is particularly true of radio, which is Africa's medium of choice. Despite the advent of social media and other types of media, it remains the dominant means of communication. I would cite the destructive role played during the genocide in Rwanda by Radio and Television Mille Collines, which stirred up hatred and led to acts that many later regretted. In 2023 , we would like to say , "Never again!" Radio can play a constructive and peaceful role, promoting peace and harmonious coexistence. This is the reason for the choice of theme for the FOMECAF seminar in 2023. What can their contribution be? I firmly believe that the media and media professionals have a role to play! That is why they have been called upon here in Lomé for a week. The media must be able to play their part and use these powerful communication tools, which have an influence on communities, to send a message of peace. We must not leave the field empty and allow others to occupy it. Jihadist groups make concrete use of communication to influence, recruit, indoctrinate, and spread a message of hatred and violence. We believe that we can reverse this trend by making good use of the media, particularly with a view to promoting peaceful coexistence.

EZ – At the end of this seminar, are you confident that the journalists and other specialists you have met here in Lomé will be able to meet the challenges of the coming years?

ID – The main objective was first to raise awareness and draw attention to what is really happening. Are you aware of this? I can say without fear of contradiction that the message has got through! Awareness of a problem must now lead to a vision and the implementation of an action plan. We need to work on developing coordinated strategies that involve capacity building and promoting a message of peace. We need to train true media professionals who are capable of providing balanced coverage, particularly when it comes to separating fact from fiction. God alone knows how much misinformation is a major concern today. The professionalism of the media, but above all of trained individuals working with appropriate equipment, will enable them to face the challenges they face. This is therefore a process of which the^fifth edition of these meetings is only the beginning.

EZ – The Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa (FOMECAF) has revised its priorities for 2023 and plans to organize a seminar in Ouagadougou. What is the motivation behind this decision?

ID – It is a logical choice and the result of discussions held on the sidelines of this meeting. The situation has been assessed and the map has been drawn up. FOMECAF officials have realized that Burkina Faso has been hit so hard that its very existence is threatened.  The country has lost more than 40% of its territory to jihadist groups. We want an adequate response to the urgency of this situation. Our presence will undoubtedly not solve all the problems of the Burkinabe people. We want to be there to tell them that we are aware of their pain and that we sympathize with their trauma. Being in Ouagadougou sends a signal, a message of compassion, but also creates an opportunity for as many media professionals as possible to participate in the meeting, be equipped, and then play a decisive role in their own context. We want to offer them the opportunity to be agents of peace through their media.

EZ – Following the publication last December of the persecution index by your NGO Open Doors, you had a very special meeting in an evangelical church in London with King Charles III of England. What memories do you have of that?

ID – First of all, it was an honor to meet such a prominent figure. Seeing someone like him take an interest in and listen to persecuted Christians, sensitive to the harsh realities faced by these communities affected by fundamentalism and Islamist insurgency, filled me with joy. My message to King Charles III of England was to draw his attention to the urgency of the situation.
There is an urgent crisis in the Sahel today. The very existence of the Sahel countries, more specifically the central Sahel, is under threat. This region has become the new epicenter of global jihadism. We are witnessing a humanitarian crisis of enormous proportions. In Burkina Faso, there are already more than 2 million internally displaced persons! Compared to other major crises such as Afghanistan or the Middle East, where international coalitions have been formed to fight the Taliban or Daesh, there is no such mobilization for the Sahel. The level of attention is not the same, and there is a real fear that this crisis will be forgotten despite its urgency. That was my message to this great leader who has the power to influence.
We must act now. We must take an interest in the situation in the Sahel. It is a question of regional security, of course, but above all of international security. The stakes are global. The impact of this crisis could spread to the entire continent. We are already seeing conflicts spreading to countries such as Nigeria. This country is the "United States of Africa," the continent's leading economic power and most populous country, with over 200 million inhabitants. Imagine if Nigeria collapsed as a state! We would see a major crisis that would affect the whole of Africa and also reach Europe. Think about it in terms of immigration, security, but also in terms of drug trafficking, which is plaguing Africa. Due to governance issues and the vacuum left by failed states, drug routes from Latin America and other countries pass through Africa. These drugs then end up on the European market and are consumed in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe. We must stop this trafficking and take action to solve the problem at its source.

EZ – This meeting with King Charles III of England took place in an Ethiopian church. Why was this location chosen?

ID – It is a powerful symbol and a choice that is not insignificant. When we consider the situation in Ethiopia, and more particularly in Eritrea, a country in the throes of a humanitarian crisis and unprecedented violence affecting thousands of people, it sends a strong message to persecuted Christians in East Africa. Eritrea remains one of the countries most affected in terms of persecution. It is often referred to as "the North Korea of Africa," where religious minorities, particularly Christians, suffer state persecution. Organizing this service in this community was a message to persecuted Christians that we sympathize with them and that we stand with them. Seeing the joy that the choice of this diaspora church in London brought was heartwarming. It boosted their morale. But beyond that, this message was sent to the entire church in East Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. In the face of terrorism that affects community life, in the face of persecution that affects you so harshly, know that you are not alone!

Photo credit: Koudousse Moustapha – KDS – 2023

Faced with war in West Africa and Western sanctions, the Christian minority in the Sahel region, plagued by jihadists, is praying fervently for peace.

The military coup in Niger has entered its third week. Four days after the July 26 coup, the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened to intervene militarily if democracy was not restored within seven days.

That deadline has passed, and leaders are still weighing their options while imposing sanctions against the junta, the group of military officials who seized power. But concerned about this seventh coup in the Sahel region since 2020, West Africa's last remaining democracies believe they must draw a line in the sand.

Neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso, both ruled by the military following recent coups, have warned that any foreign intervention in Niger would be considered an act of war against them.

Niger suffered its latest coup attempt in 2021, just before the elected president—now deposed—was sworn in. The former French colony was the last bastion of Western military cooperation against jihadist militants in the Sahel, amid Russia's expanding regional influence through its Wagner mercenary unit. Niger, meanwhile, is the world's seventh-largest producer of uranium.

Christianity Today interviewed Illia Djadi, Open Doors' senior analyst for religious freedom and belief in sub-Saharan Africa. Although he lives in London, he is a citizen of Niger, ranked 28th on World Watch's list of the 50 nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Mr. Djadi presented the regional context, described the difficult but improving situation for Christians, and made a strong appeal against military intervention:

How serious is the current situation in Niger?

I am very sad. As a Nigerian, I find the situation difficult to watch.

But as an analyst, I can say with certainty that what happened two weeks ago has plunged Niger into a new era of uncertainty. The country is facing an Islamist terrorist insurgency originating in Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Niger is also one of the poorest nations in the world, and unemployment facilitates the radicalization of our youth. We are not in paradise.

But compared to our neighbors, our situation was much better. For the first time in our history, a president served two terms before handing over power in democratic elections. And President Mohamed Bazoum has done a lot to stabilize the country and improve security. I cannot remember the last terrorist attack we suffered. And despite its poverty, Niger is home to 300,000 refugees from other countries because it is safe. All this shows that the coup was unjustified and that it is a major political setback. Active militants will take advantage of the resulting instability.

Why did the coup take place?

Personal ambition. The junta claims that the coup was motivated by security concerns and the deteriorating economy. But some say that the president was ready to appoint a new security chief. The security chief, who had been in his post for 12 years, was due to leave, but he refused and deposed the president in order to retain his power.

Do you see a connection between this coup and others in the Sahel region?

Only in two respects: There is general regional political fragility and a copy-and-paste mentality. With coups having taken place in Mali and Burkina Faso, people expect this to happen here too. West African youth harbor anti-French sentiment toward the colonial past, and some have waved Russian flags at protests.

I don't know if Russia is behind the coup.

But the region faces external influence from France, the United States, Middle Eastern countries, and, more recently, Russia. Niger is the main Western ally in the region. As a French-speaking country, we have many ties. We are witnessing a new rush to Africa in search of its natural resources.

In this context, France is often singled out as a scapegoat. This scapegoating is sometimes valid, but France is not responsible for everything. And it is certainly not fair to say, "Let's replace France with Russia." This is what happened in Mali and Burkina Faso, and these nations are heading in the wrong direction.

How does that happen?

Political instability. Since the coup d'état in 2012, Mali has never recovered, with one coup following another. Each new leader promises solutions, but the country is losing the battle against terrorism.

The 2014 social uprising in Burkina Faso also led to a military coup that attempted to resolve the resulting problems but never succeeded. Once again, coups followed one after another, and today the country has lost control of more than half of its territory to militant insurgencies.

Do you think that military intervention by ECOWAS is necessary to stem the tide of military regimes and the resulting instability?

No, that would make the situation worse. Military intervention would create chaos and provide a safe haven for terrorists. We don't want another Libya, bordering Niger, which ended up exporting instability throughout the Sahel region. Whether Western or African, war would be a similar mistake.

Did Christians express their opinion on the coup?

No, as a religious community, they are not required to do so. However, they were included by the junta when national stakeholders were convened. It was simply a matter of providing explanations, and the junta asked the Church to pray for the nation. Evangelical and Catholic churches issued a call to prayer for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Nigerien Christians have no political opinion, but they oppose the imposition of economic sanctions against their country. These will affect everyone, just as a war would. But for the most part, Christians are worried, fearing they will be among the first to pay the price if the chaos continues.

Why?

In 2015, during the protests against Charlie Hebdo in France, when the magazine published satirical cartoons of Muhammad, protests also took place in Niger. Muslims burned French flags and a French cultural center, but then they attacked churches, homes, and Christian schools. Many people associate Christians with Westerners, and once again we see French flags being burned. This is therefore a warning sign.

How do Christians fit into the social fabric of Niger?

They represent a tiny minority: 1% of the population, compared to 99%. And although Niger is a secular country where freedom of religion is protected by the constitution, Christians often face difficulties. We have cases of Nigeriens who have been denied university scholarships because of their Christian names, for example.

Catholic Christianity appeared in the 19th century with French colonialism, but the Protestant church was largely established by American missionaries. The largest denomination—now known as the Evangelical Church of Niger—is the result of the work of the SIM, which came from Nigeria.

Baptists are also present, mainly in the western region. In the 1980s, Pentecostal groups from various parts of the world—France, the United States, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast—came to Niger and created, among others, the Assemblies of God denomination.

But overall, Christians share the same poverty as everyone else.

What is your faith story?

I was raised in the evangelical church. My parents attended a Christian school and eventually converted. My extended family includes Muslims and members of traditional religions, and we live together in peace.

In middle school, however, I became aware of how different I was. Classmates asked me, "You're Nigerian, Hausa, how can you be Christian?" I began to wonder if my faith was a mistake.

But in high school, I had developed strong convictions, not only to defend my faith, but also to challenge others. My friends called me "the pope," in reference to John Paul II, because I wasn't afraid to face the crowd. You have to be strong to be a Christian in Niger, and when I think about my current position as a lawyer, that's probably how it all started.

What is the next step for Nigerian Christians?

We don't know—the context is very fragile. But as I said, our country is doing better than its neighbors, and the situation for Christians has also improved. After 2015, the government responded to the riots by strengthening religious relations, and the Church joined the successful national campaign to promote social cohesion. Today, Christians are present in the public sphere and employed in the civil service. We have the freedom to preach and even to organize large public gatherings.

The last time I lived in Niger, I was the national director of our youth association, and we organized summer camps in churches and our Protestant schools. Today, the camps are held in public places, attended by senior officials, and broadcast by public television and radio stations.

The military coup is a setback. But so far, there has been no indication of anti-Christian rhetoric. We fear instability and pray for peace. God willing, this period of uncertainty will come to an end.

Credit:

JAYSON CASPER | August 11, 2023

Christianity Today

Translation: FOMECAF