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 »

Nigeria: Several Schoolgirls Kidnapped in Attack On School in Northeastern Nigeria

An unknown number of girls were kidnapped by armed men who attacked a girls' school in northwestern Nigeria overnight. The gang members attacked the Maga Government Girls'… Read more »

Congo-Kinshasa: 'Peace in Eastern DR Congo Must Also Include Congolese Civilians'

"We want the voices of the residents in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to be heard in the peace negotiations," lawyer Néné Bintu Iragi, president of the civil… Read more »

Kenya: Bishops Concerned Over Amendments to Cybercrime Law - 'Freedom of Expression At Risk'

"The fears expressed by Kenyans regarding these new laws must not be ignored. They deserve to be heard, and corrective action must be taken where necessary," the bishops of Kenya… Read more »

South Sudan: Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan - 'Building Peace, Healing Wounds and Strengthening Unity'

"Having prayed, reflected, and shared on the pastoral situation of our two countries, we find ourselves deeply disturbed by the ongoing devastating conflicts and the dishonoured… Read more »

Sudan: The War Continues - US Appears Prepared to Impose Sanctions On Rapid Support Forces

The Sudanese army announced it had repelled a drone attack on the Merowe Dam and the town of the same name, including its airport. The 19th Infantry Division of the SAF (Sudan… Read more »

Sudan: The Fall of El-Fasher Marks a Turning Point - Egypt and Turkey Strengthen Their Commitment to Stop the RSF

The fall of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, in the hands of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias marks a turning point for the powers supporting the Sudanese government… Read more »

Nigeria: Seminarian Dies At the Hands of Kidnappers, Another Freed

One of the three seminarians, aged 15 to 16, who were kidnapped on July 10 in an attack on the Minor Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Ivianokpodi, in the Diocese of Auchi,… Read more »

Tanzania: Calm Returns, but There Is a War of Numbers Over the Victims of Recent Clashes

"The situation is calming down, and internet connections have been restored since yesterday," local sources in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, told Fides following the… Read more »

Sudan: Concern for Thousands of Civilians Missing in El Fasher

Tens of thousands of civilians who fled El Fasher are currently considered missing. Humanitarian organizations operating in the Tawila refugee camp, about 50 km from the city,… Read more »

Mali: Fuel War Spreads to the Capital Bamako

"This morning at dawn, a convoy of 1,000 fuel tankers, escorted by the army, was greeted by a cheering crowd in Bamako," local sources told Fides, describing the situation in the… Read more »

Sudan: Darfur Governor - 'The Capture of El-Fasher and the Subsequent Massacres Are a Disgrace to Humanity'

"Your silence has brought shame to history and will remain a witness to a time when the world abandoned its humanity," said Minni Arko Minawi, Governor of Darfur and head of the… Read more »

Sudan: Serious Humanitarian Situation in El-Fasher, Captured By RSF Militias

There is great concern for the approximately 260,000 civilians who have been trapped for 18 months in El-Fasher, a city that fell on October 26 into the hands of the Rapid Support… Read more »

Madagascar: Appointment of Coadjutor Archbishop of Fianarantsoa

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Jean Nicolas Rakotojaona, until now auxiliary of Morondava, as coadjutor archbishop of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, at the same time liberating… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: More Than 8 Million Voters Called to Elect the President

More than 8.7 million voters in Ivory Coast are called to vote tomorrow, October 25, to elect a new president. A total of five candidates are running. Controversy has arisen over… Read more »

Sierra Leone: Illegal Drugs Are a National Problem

A major international drug trafficker has found refuge in the country, diplomats from Sierra Leone suspected of collaborating with traffickers, and the spread of drugs among young… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Resignation and Appointment of Bishop of Abengourou

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Abengourou, Côte d'Ivoire, presented by Bishop Boniface Ziri Gbaya. Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Appointment of Bishop of SAN Pedro-En-Côte d'Ivoire

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Youlo Alexis Touabli as bishop of the diocese of San Pedro-en-Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire, transferring him from the see of… Read more »

Sudan: Arms Traffickers Thrive While the Population Is in Despair

While the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, arms trafficking with the warring parties is thriving. Read more »