This is made possible by creating networks of radical Islamic groups, mobilising common sources of funding, and acts of violence against Christians and moderate Muslims.

“Mali could become the next Afghanistan,” recently warned the director of Open Doors Austria. He added that the situations in Niger, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic are equally worrying.

Illia Djadi, a journalist from Niger and an Open Doors expert in sub-Saharan Africa, told about the situation in the Sahel region. Militants spread terror by attacking villages, kidnapping children and religious leaders is on the agenda, and militants offer lucrative income in addition to trafficking in human beings and drugs.

“In many places, people go to church on Sunday knowing they may not come back,” said the human rights activist. One consequence of this is the rapidly growing number of internally displaced people, of which, in only three countries: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, there are now 2.5 million. 

Schools and churches have long been bursting at the seams to provide for their livelihood, which is why large refugee camps are being built. Everything is missing: shelter, drinking water, medicine, and also schools,” said Djadi, noting that dioceses and local governments have been completely overwhelmed by the situation and the difficulties are enormous.