Displacement crisis threatens Christians in sub-Sahara Africa
The violence against Christians across sub-Saharan Africa is driving a staggering displacement crisis. By the end of 2022, a staggering 16,2 million Christians across sub-Saharan Africa had been forcibly displaced from their homes and off their land by persecution. This escalation has been triggered by the presence of jihadist groups active in an increasing number of countries.
In 2024, which is the second year of the multi-year Arise Africa campaign, the spotlight falls on the displacement crisis in sub-Sahara Africa. Christians who have been forced from their homes and land because of their faith in Jesus, are living in unbearable conditions in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Report on displacement
Open Doors International has recently released an in-depth report on the issue of displacement, “No road home: Christian IDPs displaced by extremist violence in Nigeria”. The report, which was compiled in conjunction with the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF) and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), contains extensive research to explore how religious affiliation shaped the experiences of internally displaced Christians in some of the most affected regions of Nigeria.
Existing evidence paints a complex picture of the causes of displacement – factors such as poverty, environmental issues, ethnicity and food scarcity also interconnect with ongoing violence, ongoing violence and religious extremism.
Key findings
Extremist violence across parts of Nigeria over the last decade has resulted in mass displacement of Christian communities. In the northern state of Borno, where Islamic militants thrive and target Christians, and in Plateau state, where Fulani militant violence results in uprooted Christian communities, the problem is unrelenting.
Although violence has affected both Christians and non-Christians, recorded testimonies indicate that Boko Haram, Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and militant Fulani groups have deliberately targeted Christians or Christian communities, their livelihood, faith leaders and places of worship for killing, abduction and the destruction of churches.
IDPs from Christian communities in both Borno and Plateau states also reported land grabbing, which included attackers remaining on the land belonging to the displaced. Their attackers are still an active threat for displaced Christians and their lands remain destroyed, occupied or unprotected by security forces.
Pastor Barnabas, one of the displaced believers in Nigeria, says: “Millions of Christians are displaced but nobody talks about it. We remain in darkness.”
Another displaced believer adds: “Our churches are shut down. We are still in the situation. Nobody can tell our story better than us. We want the world to know we are still not far from these problems.”
A grim picture
Nigeria is among the top 10 of IDP hosting countries across the world. It is also currently sixth on the Open Doors World Watch List (WWL 2024), a ranking that indicates the presence of acute levels of religious persecution and discrimination for Christians.
Borno and Plateau States in Nigeria are two regions with considerable IDP populations, yet distinct dynamics of violence. A total 292 people were interviewed from January to April 2024, as identified by local partners. Interviewees were primarily IDPs, with some workers from humanitarian agencies also interviewed. The research focussed on the Gwoza and Ngala local government areas (LGAs) in Borno State, and the Bassa and Mangu LGAs in Plateau State.
In 2023, there were 3,4 million IDPs in Nigeria. About 82% of the IDPs in Plateau State are living among host communities. Some construct informal IDP camps, and a minority live in government-run camps. This pattern changes slightly in Borno state – by April 2024, 58% of displaced households were in camps or camp-like settings.
Living conditions in camps
In both Borno and Plateau States, living condition in IDP camps are a serious concern. Issues such as inadequate shelter, overcrowding, a lack of food and water, being unable to earn a living, forced recruitment into extremist groups and challenges accessing medical care, education, skills training and wash facilities were cited.
“Things here are really bad in the camp but once we see people from Open Doors, we become joyous and excited. You always ask how we are, and that alone makes us very happy. We know God is helping us,” says Abraham, another displaced believer in Nigeria.
IDPs can be unwanted in the places where they seek shelter and these “safe” places can come under attack, including the risk of gender-based violence. When living outside formal camps, IDPs can struggle to receive government support and find it more challenging to access humanitarian assistance, such as in Benue State.
Beyond Nigeria
Across sub-Saharan Africa, forced displacement is a considerable challenge in multiple countries where there are vulnerable Christian communities. For example, Cameroon hosts over 1 million IDPs and Burkina Faso over 2 million. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hosts over 6 million IDPs and Sudan over 9 million.
Each of these countries can be found in the 2024 WWL top 50 countries, indicating the presence of Christian communities who experience very high or extreme levels of discrimination and persecution on the basis of their faith. With Islamic militancy spreading more widely in the region, evolving and emerging conflicts such as in Sudan and targeted violence against Christians already being reported, Nigeria is not alone in the displacement-related challenges it faces.
The scale and length of displacement has been considerable. By December 2023, a total of 1 711 481 IDPs were hosted in Borno State alone. Borno hosts 74% of IDPs in the northeast region of Nigeria. Of the 1,7 million in Borno, 74% were displaced before 2021, illustrating how many IDPs have been dealing with the harsh realities of displacement settings for many years. A further 68% of IDPs have been displaced two or more times.
Shocking figures
A total of 54 457 IDPs were hosted in Plateau State by December 2023. However, local agencies such as the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) reported significantly higher numbers of IDPs. For example, MDA documented 103 000 IDPs in Mangu LGA alone in January 2024.
The need for humanitarian aid and support is severe. According to one IDP, there is a scarcity of food because their crops were destroyed by Fulani. “The food from the ground is not enough. There are also disease and trauma issues. We thank God for some Christian organisations that have come to do trauma healing. There is no protection against diseases in the environment where the people live in the camps. The IDPs need food, clothing and products.”
In Mangu LGA, 51 131,69 hectares of farmland and crops were destroyed between April 2023 and January 2024. In Bassa LGA over 448 farms were recorded as destroyed between 2018 and 2023.
An interviewee in Mangu LGA, Plateau State, says: “The global Church needs to know that many people are displaced. The global Church needs to pray for the people to be able to return.”