Let’s Not Forget About Our African Brothers and Sisters

If you go to virtually any college campus, protest, or even social media, you'll see thousands of people protesting what's happening in Gaza, calling for an end to the genocide.

People fly Palestinian flags, put them in their Twitter bios, and rally to stop the violence.

Nothing wrong with that.

But there's another genocide taking place that nobody wants to talk about--the genocide of Christians in Africa.

According to Genocide Watch:

Since 2000, 62,000 Christians in Nigeria have been murdered in a genocide perpetrated by Islamist jihadist groups, including Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militias. The International Committee for Nigeria refers to this genocide as the “Silent Slaughter.”

However, there are Christians who are dying every day, particularly in Africa, and

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Over 100 Christians were killed in two days in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

It goes on and on, and you probably never heard about it in the media.

I have a cynical take on why I think this is, but I’ll keep it to myself for now, lest anyone get offended.

Now, I’m a nobody in the Christian world. My voice doesn’t matter, but that’s okay because I’m going to speak up about this ongoing persecution.

According to the organization that helps persecuted Christians throughout the world, Open Doors:

More Christians are living in Africa than anywhere else in the world. And, according to the 2025 World Watch List, the violence against Christians in sub-Saharan Africa far exceeds violent persecution in any other region.

Short of putting boots on the ground, the U.S. government is doing what it can to stop the violence.

Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025: Introduced by Senator Ted Cruz in September 2025, this bill aims to impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on Nigerian officials who facilitate violence or enforce blasphemy laws. It also calls for Nigeria to be designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a status that was previously removed under the Biden administration.

• House Resolution 220: Reintroduced by Representative Chris Smith in March 2025, this resolution also urges the redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC. Smith and other lawmakers have cited data from human rights organizations indicating that Nigeria accounts for a significant portion of Christians killed globally. 

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs issued a press release on its website detailing the problem, which is worth reading.

Pope Leo also acknowledged the ongoing persecution. According to Vatican News, he stated:

"I renew my deep sorrow for the brutal terrorist attack that took place during the night of July 26 to 27 in Komanda, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where more than forty Christians were killed in church during a prayer vigil and in their own homes."

So, what can we do here as American Christians?

Hope the Pope calls for another crusade or pressure Trump to send in the military? Perhaps, but that's unlikely.

Pray, obviously, but also raise awareness.

Post these stories on social media and tell your Christian friends about what's happening. And I get it. People are more concerned with what's happening in their country than in some far-off land.

But if the situation in Gaza can get as much attention as it does, this situation deserves equal attention.

And, if you're inclined, consider donating to Open Doors or another organization that can provide relief to these people.

I know Catholics and Protestants have been squabbling with each other for decades, but this issue should be one we can unite on, and I pray that it will.

God bless!