Somalia (MNN) –Somalia’s militant group al Shabaab is no longer confining its agenda to the country’s borders. They are now spreading into neighboring countries. There will not be a rescue coming from the Somali government.
(Photo courtesy VOM)
Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says the peacekeeping help that Somalia is getting is hampered by the internal anarchy. “How do you provide support to a country that is basically a failed state, where there is chaos on the ground?”
A “failed state” describes a country with a fractured social and political structure. Nettleton notes, “Really, there is no authority structure. There is no government body that really has power to enforce their will on the country.” Sadly, Somalia has been leading the Failed States Index for three years’ running.
The conflict is now extending into Kenya. One reason might be al Shabaab’s intent to eradicate Christianity and create a Muslim state. Nettleton explains. “We heard a report that al Shabaab literally had a list of Christians that they were seeking.”
Since al Shabaab is hunting believers, they are fleeing. “There are Christians who have had to leave Somalia who are in some of these refugee camps in
surrounding nations. As the al Shabaab philosophy spreads into those camps, those Christians are put directly at risk.” For example: Kenya.
Despite the oppression, Nettleton says the Gospel can’t be discounted. There is still a remnant church, albeit deep underground.
Voice of the Martyrs has found a way to let them know they’re not forgotten. “It’s a challenge to find Christians, it’s a challenge to support them. We have provided some help to the families of martyrs in Somalia.”
(Photo courtesy Open Doors USA)
While the situation seems hopeless, there is one avenue that surpasses the political venues. “The most significant thing that we can do is to pray for the country of Somalia, to pray especially for our Christian brothers and sisters there.”
Somalia is ranked fourth on the Open Doors World Watch list of countries that are noted for their persecution of Christians.
Pray for encouragement and strength for the Christians remaining in Somalia, as well as for those who have been forced to leave their homes.
