Nigeria: The Nigerian Priest Emmanuel Azubuike Is Free

The Nigerian priest Emmanuel Azubuike, kidnapped on November 5 (see Fides, 6/11/2024), is free. According to the Diocese of Okigwe, Father Azubuike was "released in the early hours… Read more »

Nigeria: Rector of the Minor Seminary Is Free - He Had Offered Himself As a Hostage in Exchange for Two Students

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the minor seminary in Agenegabode in the Etsako East district of Edo State in southern Nigeria, who was kidnapped on Sunday 27 October, is free.… Read more »

Nigeria: Another Priest Kidnapped in Imo State, Southern Nigeria

Another priest has been kidnapped in Nigeria. He is Fr Emmanuel Azubuike. The priest, who works in the parish of St. Theresa, Obollo, Isiala Mbano, in the southern state of Imo,… Read more »

Burkina Faso: Violence Spreads - Hundreds Killed in an Armed Attack in the Village of Manni

For some time now, Burkina Faso has been confronted with several violence attacks by armed groups. In recent months the situation seems to be out of control. Read more »

Niger: Another World Is Possible When Invisible Chains Are Recognized As Such

Pierluigi Maccalli, who was held hostage for more than two years by Salafist-inspired groups, has returned to Niger, the place of his kidnapping, to spend a few days (see Fides,… Read more »

Cameroon: President Biya Returns Home After 7 Weeks of Absence, Putting an End to Speculation About His Health

The rumors about the health of the Cameroonian President, 91-year-old Paul Biya, seem to have been denied yesterday, October 21, when the Head of State returned to his country… Read more »

Ghana: 'Environmental Prayer Walk' - Peaceful Rally Against Illegal Gold Mining

On October 11, the Archdiocese of Accra invited people to the "Environmental Prayer Walk", which took place peacefully and without incidents, with the participation of thousands of… Read more »

Togo: Togolese Religious Priest Murdered in Yaoundé

The "Fidei Donum" priest Christophe Komla Badjougou, originally from Togo, was murdered on the evening of October 7 in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. Read more »

Niger: Father Pier Luigi Maccalli - 'I Return Home After 6 Years Between Tears of Joy and Sadness'

"The thread of my presence in Niger (of 11 uninterrupted years) was broken on September 17, 2018 with the kidnapping. Exactly six years later, I have finally returned to Niger",… Read more »

Burkina Faso: 19 Killed in Attack On Border Post

19 people were killed in an attack during the night of 1 to 2 October in Fanworgou, a border town between Togo and Burkina Faso. Read more »

Nigeria: Archbishop of Lagos - 'The Best Gift for the 64th Anniversary of Independence Is to Improve the Living Conditions of Nigerians'

"As we celebrate the 64th anniversary of our country's independence, one cannot help but wonder how much there is to celebrate, given the many hardships that Nigerians face today,"… Read more »

Nigeria: Further Protests Against the Government's Economic Policies Announced

Various civil society groups in Nigeria have declared a "National Day for Survival" for October 1. The date has a high symbolic value as it coincides with the 64th anniversary of… Read more »

Mali: Terrorist Attacks in Bamako - a Signal to the Military Juntas of Niger and Burkina?

Local observers describe as "an unprecedented event" the double attack carried out yesterday, September 17, in Bamako, the capital of Mali, on the airport and a nearby gendarmerie… Read more »

Nigeria: Appeal From the Diocese of Maiduguri Hit By the Worst Flood in the Last 30 Years - 'We Ask for Your Prayers and Material Aid'

"The severity of this flood has far exceeded what the government and all of us estimated, marking it the most catastrophic flood in Maiduguri in over three decades," says a report… Read more »

Nigeria: After the Floods, the Situation in Maiduguri Remains Serious

The situation in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria, which was hit by the floods on September 10 following the collapse of the Alau Dam, remains… Read more »

Nigeria: 'Nigeria Is Sitting On a Time Bomb' Says the President of the Episcopal Conference

"Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb". This was the alarm raised by Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri, President of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), in his opening… Read more »

Nigeria: The 20 Students Kidnapped On August 15 Have Been Freed

"After an 8-day ordeal, our 20 colleagues are back with us and their families" said a statement by FECAMDS (Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students) which announced the… Read more »

Nigeria: Concern for the Fate of the 20 Medical Students Abducted On August 15

Still no news of the 20 medical students abducted on August 15th in Benue State, in east-central Nigeria. The students were en route to the annual national congress held by the… Read more »

Mali: Tinzaouaten Massacre - Military Govt Breaks Off Diplomatic Relations With Ukraine

"We immediately break off diplomatic relations with Ukraine," said the military junta of Mali yesterday, August 4, in view of the alleged involvement of the Ukrainian military… Read more »

Mali: The Attack On the Russian Wagner Group By Tuaregs and Jihadists Shows the Complexity of the Situation in Mali

On July 27, a mixed convoy of soldiers of the Malian army and mercenaries of the Russian private military company "Wagner Group" was the victim of a series of deadly attacks in… Read more »

Mali: Resignation and Appointment of Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamako

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the metropolitan archdiocese of Bamako, Mali, presented by His Eminence Cardinal Jean Zerbo. Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Appointment of Metropolitan Archbishop of Bouaké

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa, until now apostolic administrator of the metropolitan archdiocese of Bouaké, Cote d'Ivoire, as metropolitan… Read more »

West Africa: Africa - Alliance of Sahel States - Irreversible Rupture in the Economic Community of West African States?

The process of polarization in the Sahel between pro-Western "moderate" states and states that demand their independence from neo-colonial logic, but rely on non-African powers… Read more »

Nigeria: Father Mikah Suleiman Released

"I thank you for your prayers for my rescue", Father Mikah Suleiman thanked those who prayed for his release. In a video posted on social media, the Nigerian priest kidnapped on… Read more »

Nigeria: Suicide Bombings in Gwoza - Is It a Rivalry Between Jihadists for Control of the Area?

The number of victims of the quadruple bombings carried out on June 29 in Gwoza, in Borno state, in north-eastern Nigeria, has risen to 32. Some of the 50 or so wounded died in… Read more »