Niger (MNN) – It’s like a nasty breakup.
Last week, Niger politely asked the U.S. to pack up and leave. The U.S. has been in Niger since 2002, assisting with the regional counterterrorism efforts. Even before the locks are changed, Russia’s presence can be felt.
Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs USA (VOM), describes it this way: “The U.S. is leaving, but Russian military advisors are arriving in Tunisia. [Niger] has told the U.S., ‘We don’t want to work with you anymore.’ They’ve also told the Russians, ‘We would like to work with you.'”
Niger map (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
The initial security partnership grew to include more than 1,000 U.S. troops in the country and the development of a drone base used to combat terrorist threats in the region. Niger shares a long border with Nigeria, where the presence of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram, along with militant Fulani herdsmen, threatens civilians, including Christians and moderate Muslims.
Along another border shared with Mali, the presence of Al Qaeda and ISIS looms through local militias. The terror groups seem to be aligned, which could mean two of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organizations are joining forces.
Nettleton says, “I think they are counting on the Russian military advisors to help with that process of addressing the terrorism problem, which again, is how this military junta took power was by saying not enough is being done about terrorism: ‘We’re going to have to step in and take charge to address that issue.'”
Although Niger ranks 70th on the Open Doors World Watch List – a ranking of the top 50 countries in the world where Christians face the most persecution – that could change.
Islamic militants have been growing in influence in Niger, leading to a rise in attacks on vulnerable churches and Christian schools. Last year’s military coup didn’t improve the stability situation in areas under militant control.
However, according to VOM leaders in West Africa, the junta has not cracked down against Christians. Nettleton explains the Church is essentially the same as it was before the junta took power.
“There was a lot of concern when the junta took power. There were even some people making noise, ‘Hey, now we can enact Sharia law now that we can become a more Islamic country.’ So far, they haven’t put feet to those ideas.”
(Photo courtesy of Alek Burley/Unsplash)
The changing scenario and the U.S. withdrawal have opened the eyes of the Church in Niger.
Nettleton urges you to keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Niger. “We can pray for the country. We can pray especially for our brothers and sisters who are there. Frankly, we can thank the Lord for this good news. This…hasn’t been as bad as it could have been, or maybe even as it was expected to be after the coup.”
Pray for new believers. In Niger, apostates are those who leave Islam.
“One of the places persecution comes from in Niger is family members; it is often in a Muslim family. If someone comes to faith, ‘you’re not part of our family anymore. You can’t live here anymore. You can’t work here anymore.'”
Pray for those new believers that the Lord will encourage them. Pray for the Church to be able to come alongside them because, in that situation, “You’ve lost your family. The Church becomes your family; I pray that the Church will step up to do that and to help these brothers and sisters who are giving up a great deal to follow Christ.”
Header photo of Niger flag, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
