Pope Leo XIV expressed concern about reports of increased violence in the Sahel region, particularly in Chad and Mali, during his Regina Coeli address at the Vatican yesterday. Source: Crux.
The arid Sahel region – located at the borderland between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa – has been plagued by attacks from various Islamist groups, including some aligned with Al Qaeda and Islamic State.
There are about 400 million people in the Sahel, which comprises at least some part of 11 nations. The vast majority of people in the Sahel are Muslim, but a significant minority are Christian.
Chad’s military said 23 soldiers were killed and 26 soldiers were injured in an attack by Boko Haram on May 4 on Barka Tolorom island.
Chad, which has a population of 19 million, has one of the highest percentages of Christians: nearly 45 per cent are Christian, almost equally divided between Catholics and Protestants.
On Friday, the government of Mali said some military officers worked with jihadis and separatists who recently launched their biggest round of attacks in more than a decade. The statement came after the Malian army pulled out of a military camp before the arrival of the Islamist separatist group.
Mali is over 95 per cent Muslim, with Christians making up under 3 per cent of the population.
In his statement overlooking St. Peter’s Square yesterday, Pope Leo noted the region had been hit by recent terrorist attacks.
“I assure you of my prayers for the victims and my closeness to those who suffer. I hope that all forms of violence will cease and I encourage every effort for peace and development in that beloved land,” the pontiff said.
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Pope Leo prays for peace in Africa’s Sahel region as it faces Jihadist violence (Crux)
