Washington DC: (PCP) In recent years, Burkina Faso has seen an escalation of jihadist attacks targeting Christian communities in the northeast region. The violence has left many Christians in the area scared for their very existence. Churches have had no choice but to implement security measures, as many members of their congregations’ fear attending services and even sending their children to school.

Open Doors reports that at least 40 Christians were killed in Burkina Faso in 2019, including a Catholic priest, Protestant pastor, and children. In an attack on April 2019, believers were executed after refusing to renounce Jesus. The blood shed has only continued, as gunmen killed 24 people and wounded 18 in an attack on a Protestant church on February 17, 2020. Following the attack, Bishop Justin Kientega of Ouahigouya stated "There is an ongoing persecution of Christians. For months, we bishops have been denouncing what is happening in Burkina Faso, but nobody is listening to us.”

In Defense of Christians is listening, and we are actively working to create a greater awareness for the persecution of Christians in Burkina Faso. As a leading advocacy organization for persecuted Christians, IDC will continue to be a voice for the voiceless and work with our partners, Congress, the Administration, and NGOs to bring much needed attention and aid to Christians in Burkina Faso.