14Mali

The Islamic extremist insurgency that devastated the north of Mali in 2012 continues to have huge repercussions for the country’s small number of Christians.

Churches were burned down, and many Christians lost their homes and had to flee the region. Although some Christians and congregations have returned under police protection, they still live under the threat of attack. Those living in areas controlled by militants have been denied access to water and land to grow crops. Believers who engage in evangelistic activities in the north are especially vulnerable to violence, while Christian missionaries live under the constant threat of abduction by jihadists. Those who leave Islam to follow Jesus risk violence and pressure from their relatives and communities if their new faith is discovered.

The jihadist violence is spreading southward, and the country’s institutions are rapidly breaking apart, further playing into the hands of jihadist groups. The authorities’ inability to stem the insurgency has led to public protest and contributed to two military takeovers (in 2020 and 2021). The country has also become a geopolitical battleground between the West and East, making Christians vulnerable to government-related persecution.

Meet Hawa

“Someone from my [Muslim] family can never become a Christian. So they asked me to deny Jesus Christ. My parents abandoned me, leaving me alone.”

Hawa (name changed), a Malian believer.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors works through local church partners in Mali to provide persecution survival training, discipleship programmes and economic empowerment projects.