Congo-Kinshasa: Between M23 'Ghost' Militiamen and Private Vendettas, Uvira Lives in Uncertainty

A city suspended in limbo. This is the situation in Uvira, a city in South Kivu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on the border with Burundi, which was captured on December… Read more »

Nigeria: The Last 130 Children From the Catholic School in Papiri Have Been Freed

The 130 students who had been held hostage in the attack on St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri (Niger State, north-central Nigeria) on November 21 (see Fides, November 24 and 26,… Read more »

South Sudan: UN Staff Member Dies During Detention By South Sudanese Security Forces

Tensions have risen between the Government of South Sudan and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) following the death, under circumstances that remain unclear, of a… Read more »

Sudan: New Drone Attacks and Threats to Oil Production

Drones belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have attacked the city of Atbara in northern Sudan, targeting power infrastructure and other sites, according to local media… Read more »

Uganda: Priest Reported Missing Since December 3 Arrested Under Unconstitutional Circumstances

The Uganda Catholic Lawyers Society (UCLS) has denounced the arrest of Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Masaka, who had been missing since… Read more »

Kenya: The Pilgrimage of Hope and Solidarity of the Missionary Children of the Diocese of Kakamega

Clothing, food, prayer materials, financial aid, and smiles. These are the gifts that some 30 children belonging to the Pontifical Society of Missionary Childhood of the Diocese of… Read more »

Congo-Kinshasa: Despite Peace Agreement - M23 Advance Towards Uvira

The strategically important city of Uvira is in the sights of the M23 rebel movement. According to the United Nations, the rebels, supported by elements of the Rwandan army, are… Read more »

Africa: Failed Coup Attempt Highlights Divisions in West Africa

The failed coup attempt in Benin highlights the divisions among the countries of West Africa. On the night of December 7-8, some members of the National Guard attacked the… Read more »

Tanzania: Appeal for the Release of Political Prisoners

Political prisoners must be released and the bodies of missing persons returned. This is the joint appeal launched to the Tanzanian government by the embassies of Great Britain,… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Forum On Social Cohesion in Ivory Coast - Being Peacemakers in Everyday Life

"Peace (Shalom) is holistic and means harmony with oneself, with others, with one's surroundings, and with God," said Father Michel Savadogo, Executive Director of the Shalom… Read more »

Cameroon: The Priest Abducted By Separatists On November 15 Is Free

Father John Berinyuy Tatah, parish priest in Babessi, who was abducted on November 15 along with his vicar in southwestern Cameroon, has been freed. Read more »

Nigeria: 'No Genocide Against Christians in Nigeria,' Catholic Archbishop Says

There is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria. This was affirmed by Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto in northern Nigeria in his address to the 46th Supreme Assembly… Read more »

Nigeria: Bishop Tombura Yambio On Advent - 'Hope for a Land That Cries, Hope for a Church That Arises'

"Advent is not just about candles and prayers, but also a spiritual rebuilding of our diocese and our nation. Let us prepare our hearts, our communities, our parishes. Let us… Read more »

Central Africa: Africa/Central Africa - Bishops On the Upcoming Elections - 'A Historic Event That Must Not Be Wasted'

"This is an unprecedented historical event: it is about rebuilding our country and putting it on the path of social development and economic growth," the bishops of the Central… Read more »

Nigeria: Still No News of the Kidnappings At St. Mary's School - the Bishops Say 'The Situation Is Truly Worrisome but It Is Not Genocide'

"Unfortunately, there is no new information about the fate of the hostages," Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of Kontagora told Fides. In his diocese, 315 students and staff members of… Read more »

Congo-Brazzaville: Despite Ongoing Peace Talks, Massacres of Civilians Continue

On the night between November 23 and 24, 2025, at least twelve men between the ages of 20 and 40 were arrested in Irhambi Katana, South Kivu Province (in eastern Democratic… Read more »

Nigeria: New Mass Kidnappings in Kwara State

Mass kidnappings in Nigeria continue unabated. Late in the afternoon of November 24, a group of at least 20 armed men attacked the village of Isapa in the Ekiti district of Kwara… Read more »

South Sudan: Bishop Hiiboro to All Students in the Country - May No Child Be Left Behind in the Light of Knowledge and Hope

"Reject any form of examination malpractice; cheating, stealing answers, taking shortcuts, or any behavior that dishonors your integrity is a betrayal not only of your future, but… Read more »

Nigeria: 265 Pupils Kidnapped From St. Mary's School Are Still in the Hands of Kidnappers - Bishop Tells Fides - 'This Is the Work of Criminals'

"The kidnappers are almost certainly criminals seeking illicit gain by demanding a ransom for the release of the young people they have captured," Msgr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of… Read more »

Cameroon: The Archbishop of Bamenda - 'If Father John Is Not Released By November 26, the Churches in the Deanery Will Be Closed'

"If by November 26, the captors have not released Father John, I request all the priests, religious personnel from all Catholic institutions in Ndop deanery will be closed. Priests… Read more »

Cameroon: Vatican - Leo Xiv - 'Great Pain' and 'Deeply Saddened' to Learn of the Kidnapping of Priests, Faithful, and Students in Nigeria and Cameroon

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the kidnapping of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. I feel great pain, above all for the many young men and women who have… Read more »

Nigeria: 'Father Paschal Is Alive' - Archdiocese of Kaduna Denies Rumors of the Murder of the Priest Kidnapped On November 17

"It is not true that Father Bobbo Paschal was killed," reads a statement from the Archdiocese of Kaduna, sent to Fides, refuting rumors circulating on various social media… Read more »

Ghana: Dozens Dead in Illegal Mine. Bishops Propose State of Emergency to Combat the Phenomenon

Three illegal miners have died of asphyxiation after being trapped in a tunnel in Ghana. The three men were part of a group of "galamseyers" (a term that refers both to the illegal… Read more »

Mozambique: Violence Continues in Nampula Province

Houses and a school burned, properties looted, and civilians killed, wounded, or kidnapped. This is the scene of the escalating violence that continues to plague the districts of… Read more »

Nigeria: Catholic Priest Kidnapped in Kaduna State.

Another Catholic priest has been kidnapped in Nigeria. Father Bobbo Paschal, parish priest of St. Stephen's Parish Church in the Kushe Gudgu Kagarko Local Government Area (LGA) of… Read more »