Africa
Egypt: 2018 election
Ever since former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq said he would run in the 2018 presidential election, many are speculating about his ability to win. Egypt’s religious institutions influence presidential candidates, and journalists supporting…
Libya: slave trade
Recently CNN showed West African refugees in Libya being held by smugglers, mistreated, and sold ‘like cattle’ for £300. Also, Al Jazeera has reported that migrants are being traded in Libyan garages and…
Zimbabwe: church leaders call for prayer
The country’s leaders of different denominations say Zimbabwe is between a crisis and a kairos opportunity. They are calling for prayer for, peace, respect for human dignity, a transitional government of national unity,…
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…
