Africa
Gambia no longer to be called Islamic
Gambia’s new president, Adama Barrow, has announced that the country will no longer officially be called an Islamic republic, reversing the decision made by his predecessor in 2015. There had been encouraging signs…
Zimbabwe: ‘flag’ pastor Evan Mawarire detained
A Zimbabwean pastor who criticised his government has been detained after flying back to the country. Evan Mawarire, who left the country last year in fear for his life, was arrested at Harare…
Drought grips East Africa
‘Children have dropped out of school due to hunger; pregnant women and the elderly are the most affected. Cattle, which are the only source of livelihood, are dying, and the remaining ones are…
Somalia: a new president is elected
On Wednesday Somalia's presidential elections took place, with over twenty candidates to choose from. In a surprise result, former prime minister Hassan Sheikh Mohamud decisively defeated the incumbent president. It is the first…
Archbishop on water inequality
The Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, has said the problem of water supply and sanitation illustrates why South Africa ‘is one of the most unequal countries in the world.’ He also described…
South Africa: deaths of nearly 100 mentally-ill
Malegapuru Makgopa, South Africa’s health ombudsman, has said that 94 mentally-ill patients died of starvation, dehydration and diarrhoea at care centres last year. The deaths followed a ‘reckless’ attempt by the government to…
Sudan: three men found guilty
(Updating last week’s Prayer Alert article) On Sunday Judge Osama Ahmed Abdulla found Czech national Petr Jašek guilty of espionage. He was sentenced to life imprisonment plus a further three and a half…
ROOTS, REALITIES & RESPONSES: LESSONS LEARNT IN TACKLING WITCHCRAFT ACCUSATIONS AGAINST CHILDREN
Stop Child Witch Accusations (SCWA) is a coalition of Christian individuals and agencies responding to the reality of children experiencing serious harm or the threat of harm due to accusations of witchcraft or…
Christians in Sudan request further prayer for three imprisoned Christians sentenced at a court hearing
On January 29, the court sentenced Petr Jasek to life in prison for espionage, to six months in prison for spreading rumours that undermine the authority of the state, to a fine of…
Sudan: judgment delayed again for Christians
Rev’d Kuwa Shamal, Rev’d Hassan Abduraheem, Mr Petr Jašek, and Mr Abdulmonem Abdumawla were arrested in December 2015 and held in prison on charges of national security crimes. They were charged with helping…
