Search: “africa”

African democratic institutions remain vulnerable, but are strengthening with time. Authoritarian, autocratic leadership that suppresses opposition and robs from its own people still exists, but in many parts of the continent, there are signs of it being replaced by more responsible governments. Pray for more Christian politicians who are undefiled by corruption and resolute in […]

Emigration, displacement and human trafficking are issues that profoundly affect Africa and, by extension, the rest of the world. Almost all of Africa’s countries face these problems. Conflict and poverty have driven tens of millions out of their traditional home areas and, while many seek a better life abroad, the large majority remain displaced within […]

Disease still looms as a deathly spectre over Africa. A higher proportion of infants, children and adults are lost to disease in Africa than anywhere else. Tens of billions of dollars in productivity are lost each year to the effects of disease upon the working population. Of specific concern are: HIV/AIDS. Although no longer at […]

Reducing local causes of poverty, particularly corruption, would reinject many billions of dollars back into the grassroots economy. Were greater economic accountability imposed and budgets actually spent on developing trade and production, many could be lifted out of poverty. Were wars and conflicts ended, infrastructure developed and education and health improved, a massive difference could […]

Africa’s continuing struggle with poverty has taken on some new dynamics, but is no less urgent. As explained in the economic section, the causes are many and complex. For a region with many natural resources and a vast, young workforce, the situation should not be as bad as it is. This is partly due to […]

Sudan’s civil strife has been the norm for decades. It became somewhat of an international pariah due to the persistent violence and oppression endorsed by the regime. The former president has been convicted of corruption and money laundering, and faces international criminal charges of war crimes and genocide. But now, Sudan’s prospects are threatened by […]

Central Africa, where ethnic and international conflicts have brutalized the populations. Tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples in Rwanda and Burundi led to civil wars and periodic genocidal massacres over the past five decades. The Rwanda genocide of 1994 triggered a chain reaction of war and waves of refugees, affecting surrounding countries. The Second […]

East Africa remains a place of instability and regional violence, despite the 2018 peace treaty between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which itself came as an answer to prayer. Somalia’s descent into anarchy plumbed new depths. A combination of deep poverty, lack of resources, famine, historical colonial influences and the deeply clan-based societal structure creates a dangerous […]

Nigeria and the Sahel, through which runs the north-south fault line between Muslim and Christian majority areas, are in profound need of prayer. The sporadic outbreaks of violence in Nigeria escalated into more frequent and intense pogroms against Christians by increasingly bloodthirsty fundamentalist Muslim groups (often importing fighters from farther afield). The Nigerian-originated Islamist and […]

The impact of the gospel on the educated. The ministries of SU, IFES and others among students have been remarkable; through these and the ministries of churches and agencies, a large proportion of Africa’s professionals and leaders in Anglophone and Francophone countries are committed Christians. Their influence is becoming decisive in addressing corruption and social […]