Ivory Coast: Waves of Change

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” ― Leo Tolstoy

The Ivory Coast has been a land of turmoil for the last ten years as the country has been ripped apart by civil war.  The civil war has been fueled by a mix of geographical, political, ethnic, and religious differences.  Both sides has done unspeakable things in their misguided loyalty. People have been executed, homes and land destroyed, and a nation torn apart.  Both sides have a vision of the change that they want to see happen in their country, and it seems that many are willing to do anything to see it become a reality.  While many want to dictate the course of the nation, it seems that there are very few who are willing to change themselves.  Jesus calls us to die to ourselves and our desires and become like Him.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to become more than we could ever be on our own.  As we pray for the Christians in Cote d'Ivoire, let us ask that they be transformed by the power of God, and as they change themselves to become more like Him, may they change the course of their country as well. 
 --------------------------------------------------------------------

Ivory Coast 

Basic Info: The country of Cote d'Ivoire is located in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia.  It is slightly larger than New Mexico, and is mostly flat to undulating plains, with mountains in the northwest.  Most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region.  Apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated.  Of the 22,400,835 (July 2013 est.) population, about 51% is urban.  The literacy rate is 56.9% and child labor is 35%.  French is the official language, and there are 60 native dialects of which Dioula is the most widely spoken.  The major ethnic break down is Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998).  The country illegally produces cannabis, but it is mostly for local consumption.  Because of the political instability, narcotic transshipment to Europe has declined. Deforestation is a concern.  Most of the country's forests, once the largest in West Africa, have been heavily logged.  Due to the civil war from 2002-2004 and the post election conflicts in 2010-2011, the country has between 40,000-80,000 internally displaced persons, mostly in the western and southwestern regions.   As of 2012, there were also 700,000 stateless persons. Many Ivoirians lack documentation proving their nationality, which prevent them from accessing education and healthcare.  Since birth on Ivorian soil does not automatically result in citizenship, disputes over citizenship and the associated rights of the large population descended from migrants from neighboring countries is an ongoing source of tension and contributed to the country's 2002 civil war.  Some observers believe the government's mass naturalizations of thousands of people over the last couple of years is intended to boost its electoral support base.  The government in October 2013 acceded to international conventions on statelessness and in August 2013 reformed its nationality law, key steps to clarifying the nationality of thousands of residents.  

Government: After the country gained its independence in 1960, it continued to have close ties with France.  That along with foreign investment and the development of cocoa production for export made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous states in West Africa.  However, that prosperity did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert Guei blatantly rigged elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought Laurent Gbagbo (a Christian) into power. Ivorian dissidents (mostly Muslims) and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002 that developed into a rebellion and then a civil war. The war ended in 2003 with a cease fire that left the country divided with the rebels holding the north, the government the south, and peacekeeping forces a buffer zone between the two. In March 2007, President Gbagbo and former New Forces rebel leader Guillaume Soro signed an agreement in which Soro joined Gbagbo's government as prime minister and the two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the buffer zone, integrating rebel forces into the national armed forces, and holding elections. Difficulties in preparing electoral registers delayed balloting until 2010. In November 2010, Alassane Dramane Ouattara won the presidential election over Gbagbo, but Gbagbo refused to hand over power, resulting in a five-month stand-off. In April 2011, after widespread fighting, Gbagbo was formally forced from office by armed Ouattara supporters with the help of UN and French forces. Several thousand UN peacekeepers and several hundred French troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to support the transition process. Ouattara is focused on rebuilding the country's infrastructure and military after the five months of post-electoral fighting and faces ongoing threats from Gbagbo supporters, many of whom have sought shelter in Ghana. Gbagbo is in The Hague awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.  The government is a republic, and although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center.  The US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan.

Economy: Cote d'Ivoire is heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly 68% of the population. Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products, and, to a lesser extent, in climatic conditions. Cocoa, oil, and coffee are the country's top export revenue earners, but the country is also producing gold. Since the end of the civil war in 2003, political turmoil has continued to damage the economy, resulting in the loss of foreign investment and slow economic growth. In late 2011, Cote d'Ivoire's economy began to recover from a severe downturn of the first quarter of the year that was caused by widespread post-election fighting. In June 2012, the IMF and the World Bank announced $4.4 billion in debt relief for Cote d'Ivoire under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. Cote d'Ivoire's long-term challenges include political instability and degrading infrastructure.  About 42% of the population is below the poverty line.  The country is well-developed by African standards.  Their telecommunications sector was privatized in the late 1990s and operational fixed-lines have increased since that time.  Since there are multiple mobile-cellular service providers competing in the market, usage has increased sharply to roughly 80 per 100 persons.

Religion: Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est.) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)

When mostly Muslim rebels (backed with foreign funds and arms) seized control of northern Ivory Coast in 2002, Christians, southerners and government supporters fled south for their lives.  As those fleeing included most of the northern Ivory Coast's doctors, nurses, professionals, administrators and teachers, living conditions in the north deteriorated.   Even now that the country has geographically been reunited, conflict is still ongoing.  This past May, two brothers were brutally crucified on “the example of Christ” as forces loyal to Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara continue to target perceived supporters of his ousted Christian predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo.  Raphael Aka Kouame died of his injuries; incredibly his younger brother, Kouassi Privat Kacou, survived the ordeal. The pair were badly beaten and tortured before being crudely nailed to cross-shaped planks.  

This is just one of the many atrocities that have been committed as fighting between Ouattara and Gbagbo supporters has continued in the wake of the disputed presidential election last November. Christians have been caught up in the conflict as perceived supporters of Gbagbo. Support for the two men is split broadly along geographical and religious lines, with the predominantly Muslim north largely backing Ouattara, a Muslim from that region, while support for Gbagbo, a Christian, comes from the mainly Christian south.  Human Rights Watch reported that Ouattara troops have killed at least 149 real or suspected Gbagbo supporters in Abidjan since the capture and arrest of the former president on 11 April. Of these, at least 95 were unarmed. The group believes the total number of non-combatants killed to be much higher, as many witnesses, largely from ethnic groups linked to former President Gbagbo, were too terrified to talk or had fled Abidjan during or following the violence.

Human Rights Watch also documented more than 220 killings by pro-Gbagbo troops against real and perceived Ouattara supporters when the republican forces swept through Abidjan between March 31 and the end of April, as fighting continued following Gbagbo's arrest. Amnesty International also warned, towards the end of last month, that reprisal attacks are still being committed by Ouattara’s forces. Statements collected by an Amnesty delegation indicated a systematic and targeted series of killings committed by uniformed republican forces, who executed hundreds of men on political and ethnic grounds.

Animism is still strong in Côte d’Ivoire, despite apparent numerical decline. Although evangelical congregations outnumber sacred fetish groves for the first time in the nation’s history, animism’s power remains unbroken and penetrates deep into the worldview and practices of both Christians and Muslims. Many believers are affected by the power of African traditional religion, especially through fetish charms and ancestor worship, compromising both their witness and their own life in Christ.

Info compiled from barnabasfund.org, CIAWorldFactBook "Cote d'Ivoire", ICC, Operation World
----------------------------------------------------
Prayer Cast: Cote d'Ivoire


What Happen in the Ivory Coast


Ivory Coast Blood and Chocolate (2011)

IDOP: Victoria's Assurance

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for." -Hebrews 11:1-2

When we think of heroes of the faith, our minds go back to Abraham and Noah and Moses.  These were all men who were close to God, and believed in the promise of God's word, even when it took years to see it fulfilled.  As great as these men were, we do not have to look so far into the past to find examples of a strong faith.  As you watch Victoria's story below, know that even when your heart is breaking, God is the strength of our heart and we can have a blessed assurance in Christ Jesus that the world will never understand.  Pray for the persecuted Christians around the world; for strength, for peace, for hope, and that they might know that they are not forgotten. 

Senegal: Behind the Veil

 “Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden...” -Unknown 

Senegal is considered one of the most stable countries in Western Africa.  They are held up as an example of democracy and they are a popular tourist location.  All would seem well, but Senegal has recently been added to the Voice of the Martyrs Monitored Countries List.  While there is a lot of positive things to say about this country, when one peels back the veil we also find that this country has its share of problems.  The Southern region is inundated with rebel separatist groups who have increasingly been targeting civilians.  Most of the Christians in this country live in the Southern region, and are in danger from the continued fighting. There is also a problem with child beggars forced into that position by their Islamic teachers.  However, the country has a new President, and hopefully he and his wife will help to bring about lasting change.  Let us pray that God will work in the hearts of the government to step up and protect all of its citizens, including its Christians.  May we never forget to be grateful for the safety and security that God provides daily for us. 
----------------------------------------------------------
Senegal

Basic Info:  Senegal is a country inWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania.  It is slightly smaller than South Dakota, and faces problems like deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, desertification, overfishing, and the wildlife populations are threatened by poaching.  Of the 13,300,410 (July 2013 est.) population, the ethnic breakdown is: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%.  French is the official language, but Wolof is spoken as a first language by around 40% of the population.  Pulaar, Jola, and Mandinka are also spoken. About 49% of the population is literate.  The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau attempt to stem separatist violence, cross border raids, and arms smuggling into their countries from Senegal's Casamance region, and in 2006, respectively accepted 6,000 and 10,000 Casamance residents fleeing the conflict.  Around 2,500 Guinea-Bissau residents fled into Senegal in 2006 to escape armed confrontations along the border.  Due to the fighting in the Casamance region between government troops and separatists, there are around 10,000-40,000 internally displaced persons in the country.  The country is a transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America.

Government: The French colonies of Senegal and the French Sudan were merged in 1959 and granted their independence as the Mali Federation in 1960. The union broke up after only a few months. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982. The envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. The Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance (MFDC) has led a low-level separatist insurgency in southern Senegal since the 1980s, and several peace deals have failed to resolve the conflict. Nevertheless, Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa and has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping and regional mediation. Senegal was ruled by a Socialist Party for 40 years until Abdoulaye Wade was elected president in 2000. He was reelected in 2007 and during his two terms amended Senegal's constitution over a dozen times to increase executive power and to weaken the opposition. His decision to run for a third presidential term sparked a large public backlash that led to his defeat in a March 2012 runoff election with Macky Sall.  The country is a Republic, and its civil law system is based on French law.  


Economy: Senegal relies heavily on donor assistance and foreign direct investment. The country's key export industries are phosphate mining, fertilizer production, and commercial fishing. The country is also working on iron ore and oil exploration projects. About 77.5% of the population works in agriculture.  After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to an economic reform program backed by the donor community, which led to real growth in GDP averaging over 5% annually during 1995-2007. Annual inflation was pushed down to the single digits. The global economic downturn reduced growth to 2.2% in 2009. Senegal also receives disbursements from a $540 million Millennium Challenge Account for infrastructure and agriculture development. In 2012, the economy began to rebound after a weak 2011. The economy continues to suffer from unreliable power supply, which has led to public protests and high unemployment (48% unemployed) and has prompted migrants to flee Senegal in search of better job opportunities in Europe.  Nearly two-thirds of all fixed-line connections are in Dakar where a call-center industry is emerging, but expansion of fixed-line services in rural areas is still needed.  Mobile-cellular service is expanding rapidly. The state run Radiodiffusion Television Senegalaise (RTS) operates 2 TV stations, and a few private TV subscription channels rebroadcast foreign channels without providing any local news or programs.  RTS operates a national radio network and a number of regional FM stations.  Many community and private-broadcast radio stations are available and transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Dakar (2007).


Religion: Muslim 94% (mostly Suffi), Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%

The Casamance region in the south has been troubled for many years by groups who are, at times, separatists, but often mere bandits. The Casamance is separated from most of Senegal by geography (separated by Gambia), ethnic composition (Jola-dominated as opposed to Wolof) and even religion (significantly more animist and Christian sentiment in the south). The region has ample rainfall, abundant in the south, and the lower course of the Casamance River is covered by dense vegetation, mangroves, oil palms, and raffia palms predominate. Rice, cotton, and corn (maize) are cultivated. Much of the area that is now Casamance was once the kingdom of Kasa. Kasa’s king, or mansa, was a leading trader with the Portuguese. The region was subsequently inhabited by migrants from the Mali empire, the Diola (Jola), the Fulani (Fulbe), the Malinke, and other groups. Casamance was the last part of what is now Senegal to be conquered (beginning in 1903) by Europeans, and small pockets of resistance were active until after World War I. Isolated from the larger northern portion of the country, Casamance retained a distinct identity; many of its inhabitants, for example, retained traditional beliefs while the northern Senegalese adopted Islam. 

A separatist group, the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), emerged in the early 1980s, organized by the Diola. Demonstrations by the MFDC led to a number of arrests, and in 1990 the group attacked several administrative locations in the region. The Senegalese army was sent to Casamance, and fighting persisted until a cease-fire was signed in 1993. Two years later, however, southern rebels split with the MFDC and renewed the violence. By the late 1990s thousands of civilians had been killed and more than 20,000 had fled the region. Several subsequent cease-fire attempts failed, and fighting continued into the early 21st century. The leader of the main rebel forces declared the war over in 2003, and a peace agreement was signed in 2004, but some rebel factions continued to fight. Basic services and infrastructure in many conflict-affected areas continue to deteriorate, even now there are no wells, no roofs, and buildings are falling down because they are inaccessible. Many villages remain abandoned due to landmines; landmines have killed up to 800 people since 1988, and government efforts to demine have flagged, leaving much of the work to NGOs such as Handicap International. As of late 2011 just eight villages had been declared mine-free.

Civilians are also increasingly coming under direct attack, with a dozen civilians reportedly killed in November 2011 when they were collecting firewood in a forest in northern Casamance. The collection of firewood is a key revenue source for MFDC factions as, allegedly, are other illicit activities such as the growing and selling of drugs, and drug-trafficking.  While some groups may also be getting institutional support, this has not as yet been proven.  MFDC is split into several rival factions - some with bases in France, one based in Germany, and at least five with representation in Casamance. Three faction leaders have formed an MFDC “contact group” in Ziguinchor. Famara Pape Goudiaby, a member of this “contact group”, told IRIN weapons continue to flow thick and fast through Casamance, and “even as we speak” more were being brought up to the north.  Pray for long-term stability and peace as well as for sustained Christian ministry – these are often disrupted by sporadic violence.

Info compiled from CIAWorldFactBook "Senegal"; Irin Africa: Senegal (irinnews.org)

--------------------------------------------------------

About SENEGAL (2012)

CNN Interview with First Lady of Senegal (2012) Part 1

CNN Interview with First Lady of Senegal (2012) Part 2


BBC News June 2013


BBC News How Salt miners save Senegal's lake


God's Beggar Children BBC News part 1 2011


God's Beggar Children BBC News part 2 2011

Djibouti: The Eye of the Storm

"Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." -Unknown

On the horn of Africa, Djibouti is the eye of the storm in a raging sea of conflicts.  It is hailed as the one area of stability and peace in a region known for its civil wars and violence. It is the country that investors are eying to see about building the city of the future in.  Its possibilities seem endless.  However, Djibouti is now on VOM Monitored Countries List.  While their website does not offer specifics as to why they are monitoring the country, we can make an educated guess from other sources.  According to the International Religious Freedom Report in 2008, while Muslim Djiboutians have the legal right to convert to another faith or marry outside of Islam, converts may face negative societal, tribal, and familial attitudes towards their decision (US 19 Sept. 2008, Sec. 3; Open Doors USA n.d.) and often face pressure to revert to Islam.  Though Freedom House notes that public proselytizing is discouraged by the government (16 July 2009), others maintain that it is legally permitted and is not suppressed by the government, although it remains inhibited by social customs (Open Doors USA n.d.; US 25 Feb. 2009, Sec. 2.c) and is thus uncommon (ibid. Sept. 2008, Sec. 3).  There were reports of increased societal hostility toward non-Muslims in recent years, although representatives of various Christian organizations described government officials as "tolerant and respectful" (US 19 Sept. 2008, Sec. 3).  So it would seem that while the government is not persecuting Christians, society as a whole has become increasingly hostile towards Christians and Christian activity in recent years.  What is behind this change is uncertain, but we know that Christ is our rock amid the storms of this life.  Let us remember to thank God for His faithfulness, and pray for our brothers and sisters to stand firm in their faith, secure in the peace that comes only from Christ Himself. 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Djibouti

Basic Info: Djibouti is a country slightly smaller than Massachusetts with a population of 879,053 people.  It is a hot, dry, desert enclave between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, with possibly the hottest average temperatures of any country on earth.  Djibouti has a strategic location near the world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields, but the country is mostly wasteland and also has the lowest point in Africa, Lake Assal.  About 88% of the population is urban, and French and Arabic are the official languages.  Trade languages are Somali and Afar (Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian). Attacks from pirates are a concern, but they have decreased significantly in 2012.  The International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden remain a high risk for piracy; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators, including the use of on-board armed security teams, contributed to the drop in incidents.  Djibouti is a transit, source, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking.  Economic migrants from East Africa en route to Yemen and other Middle East locations are vulnerable to exploitation in Djibouti.  Some woman and girls may be forced into domestic servitude or prostitution after reaching Djibouti City, the Ethiopian-Djiboutian trucking corridor, or Obock - the main crossing point into Yemen.  Djiboutian and foreign children may be forced to beg, to work as domestic servants, or to commit theft and other petty crimes. Outside of child prostitution, the government fails to investigate or prosecute any other trafficking offenses, including those allegedly committed by complicit officials.  It has made no attempt to implement the protection or prevention components of its anti-trafficking law, and its working group on trafficking was inactive in 2012; a draft national action plan against human trafficking remains incomplete (2013).

Government:  The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became the country of Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled Aptidon installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afar minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001 with a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Somali Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multiparty presidential elections resulted in the election of Ismail Omar Guelleh as president; he was reelected to a second term in 2005 and extended his tenure in office via a constitutional amendment, which allowed him to begin a third term in 2011. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and serves as an important shipping portal for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands and transshipments between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The government holds longstanding ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, and has strong ties with the United States. Djibouti hosts several thousand members of US armed services at US-run Camp Lemonnier.  They also host the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.  The country has a mixed legal system based primarily on the French civil code (as it existed in 1997), Islamic religious law (in matters of family law and successions), and customary law.

Economy: Djibouti's economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in the Horn of Africa. Three-fourths of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Rare rainfall limits crop production to small quantities of fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports, exports, and re-exports - primarily of coffee from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia - represent 70% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate in urban areas of nearly 60% continues to be a major problem. Unemployment in rural areas is 83%.  While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of payments. Djibouti holds foreign reserves amounting to less than six months of import coverage. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% between 1999 and 2006 because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Djibouti has experienced relatively minimal impact from the global economic downturn, but its reliance on diesel-generated electricity and imported food leave average consumers vulnerable to global price shocks. Djibouti in 2012 began construction of a third port to secure its position as a critical transshipment hub in the Horn of Africa and the principal conduit for Ethiopia's trade. Djibouti also received funding in late 2012 for a desalination plant to begin to address the severe freshwater shortage affecting Djibouti City, and particularly its poorest residents.  About 42% of the population is below the poverty line.  A major import for the country is khat.  The khat is imported daily from neighboring Ethiopia, and most of the population participates in its consumption.  In a Muslim nation where alcohol is frowned upon, the drug of choice is khat.  The leaf produces an amphetamine like high, takes away hunger pains, and makes one more alert. Work stops in the early afternoon and a khat chewing session could last for 5 hours.  Djibouti has one television station and two radio networks operated by the government.  There are no private TV or radio stations.  There are transmissions available from international broadcasters.


Religion:   Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

Mission work is a challenge in this hot, dry, but often humid land, and working conditions are extreme. Physical and spiritual oppression, economic disparity, ethnic tensions and a scarcity of believers lead easily to discouragement and worker attrition. Pray for the present ministries in education, public health, literature, Bible translation, literacy and youth work – opportunities to witness abound in these. Pray that contacts lead to disciples for Jesus. Pray for God to send long-term workers, especially from nearby countries and people groups. Pray for unprecedented spiritual breakthroughs, long-awaited but as yet unseen. There is notable interest in Christianity from a small but increasing number of locals.  Several evangelical fellowships exist among the immigrant groups flooding Djibouti in recent years – from Ethiopia, Madagascar, Congo-DRC, the Philippines, Eritrea and other places. Many of these congregations share a strong spiritual burden to reach the Somali and Afar peoples. Pray that they may be relevant and effective in their witness. Pray that their own reconciliation and unity made possible in Christ might be a witness to the divided and hostile peoples of Djibouti.
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 Explore Africa (Djibouti and drug problem first 10 minutes/last 5 minutes Ethiopia)


 Inside Djibouti- The khat trade


 Inside Djibouti-Immigration Laws


 Duty in Djibouti

Kenya: The Hidden Enemy

“I can be on guard against my enemies, but God deliver me from my friends!” -Charlotte Bronte


How do you discern an enemy from a friend?  How do you recognize evil when it is wrapped in light?  When our perceptions fail us, how do we find our way?  These are exactly some of the questions facing Christians in Kenya right now.  Is a refugee really a refugee, or is he a member of Al-Shabab?  Is this person in need of help, or is this a trap?  How do we know?  In our own power and strength, we will never be able to discern between truth and fiction.  But the Holy Spirit within us can guide us and direct us, if our hearts are attuned and listening to Him.  Discerning friend from foe is not an easy task, but the Lord is ever with us. As we pray for Kenya this month, let us ask the Lord to grant wisdom and discernment to His people as they minister to those in need.  May He ever direct their paths as they walk this uneasy road before them.  

---------------------------------------------------------
Kenya

Basic Info: Kenya is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.  The country is slightly more than twice the size of Nevada, and has a population of 44,037,656.  Of that population, the ethnic break down is:  Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%. English and Kiswahili are the official languages, but there are numerous indigenous languages.  Kenya is also known for its geographic features.  The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa, and glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak.  Unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value. Kenya also served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's north-south separation in February of 2005.  Kenya provides shelter to almost a quarter million refugees, including Ugandans who flee across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's Resistance Army rebels.  Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists. The boundary that separates Kenya's and Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times.  The country supports 34,800 refugees from South Sudan; 34,000 from Ethiopia; 11,500 from the Democratic Republic of Congo; 6,000 from Sudan; and 494,704 from Somalia.  There are also at least 300,000 internally displaced persons from the 2007-08 post-election violence.  These people how ever were absorbed by host communities rather than camps.  Kenya also does not have information on the IDPs displaced through natural disasters, drought, development and environmental projects, land disputes, cattle rustling, and inter-communal violence.  In 2012, inter-communal violence displaced approximately 118,000 people and floods displaced an estimated 100,000 people in 2012.  There is widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana.  Kenya is a transit country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America, and Indian methaqualone in route to South Africa.  There is significant potential for money-laundering given the country's status as a regional financial center, its massive corruption, and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities.

Government:  Jomo Kenyatta was the founding president of Kenya in 1963, and he led the country until his death in 1978.  President Daniel Moi then took over power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. President Moi acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in the 1992 and 1997 elections, which were marred by violence and fraud, but were viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President Moi stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai Kibaki, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru Kenyatta and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. KIBAKI's NARC coalition splintered in 2005 over a constitutional review process. Government defectors joined with KANU to form a new opposition coalition, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which defeated the government's draft constitution in a popular referendum in November 2005. Kibaki's reelection in December 2007 brought charges of vote rigging from ODM candidate Raila Odinga and unleashed two months of violence in which as many as 1,500 people died. African Union-sponsored mediation in late February 2008 resulted in a power-sharing accord bringing Odinga into the government in the restored position of prime minister. The power sharing accord included a broad reform agenda, the centerpiece of which was constitutional reform. In August 2010, Kenyans overwhelmingly adopted a new constitution in a national referendum. The new constitution introduced additional checks and balances to executive power and significant devolution of power and resources to 47 newly created counties. It also eliminated the position of prime minister following the first presidential election under the new constitution, which occurred on March 4, 2013. Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of founding president Jomo Kenyatta, won the March elections in the first round by a close margin and was sworn into office on 9 April 2013.  The country is a republic with a bicameral parliament.  The new constitution introduced in 2010 introduced major institutional, electoral, and structural reforms, including the handing over of power to 47 counties and establishment of a bicameral legislature.  Implementation of all elements of the constitution is scheduled to take five years and requires significant legislative action, much of which has been taken.  There is a mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law.

Economy: Kenya has been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary goods whose prices have remained low. Despite being the largest East African economy, low infrastructure investment now threaten Kenya's long-term position in that field.  In the key December 2002 elections, Daniel MOI's 24-year-old reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation. After some early progress in rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support, the Kibaki government was rocked by high-level graft scandals in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, the World Bank and IMF delayed loans pending action by the government on corruption. The international financial institutions and donors have since resumed lending, despite little action on the government's part to deal with corruption. Unemployment is very high; about 40% are unemployed. The country has experienced chronic budget deficits, inflationary pressures, and sharp currency depreciation - as a result of high food and fuel import prices. The discovery of oil in March 2012 provides an opportunity for Kenya to balance its growing trade deficit if the deposits are found to be commercially viable and Kenya is able to develop a port and pipeline to export its oil.  The average life expectancy is 63 years, and 50% of the people are below the poverty line.   The fixed line telephone system is small and inefficient, but there was an expantion of mobile-cellular telephone usage reaching 65 out of 100 persons in 2011. There are about a half-dozen privately owned TV stations and a state-owned TV broadcaster that operates 2 channels.  Satellite and cable TV subscription services are available.   

Religion: Christian 82.5% (Protestant 47.4%, Catholic 23.3%, other 11.8%), Muslim 11.1%, Traditionalists 1.6%, other 1.7%, none 2.4%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 census)

Despite being a nation where the majority of people are Christians, persecution of Christians is on the rise in Kenya.  Part of the problem is the refugees.  The Institute for Security Studies in Kenya reported that as many as one in every ten refugees that cross the border into Kenya from Somalia are members of the Al-Qaida linked terrorist group, Al-Shabab.  According to the CIA, Al-Shabab is large and well funded compared to most other terrorist groups.  They have also attracted and trained hundreds of foreign fighters, including scores of Americans and dozens from other Western countries. Al-Shabab is known for implementing Sharia law, such the amputation of hands of thieves, the stoning of adulterous women, and the murder of many Christians. 

Al-Shabab has a stronghold in the suburb of Nairobi, Eastleigh.  Eastleigh is now primarily a community of Somali immigrants, and Kenya's police leave the area ungoverned.  Guns are sold in the market and restaurants lock their doors even when open for security reasons.  Only one church remains in the area because the rest have been destroyed.  Not all Somali immigrants who come to the country are poor; some come with thousands of dollars acquired through piracy.  Since it is dangerous for the immigrants to hold onto this money, they invest in property and housing.  It is well known if a Somali comes and offers you twice the amount of your property's value, you had better sell or else you will be killed.  This is happening not only in Eastleigh, but has now spread to other districts as well.  Saudi Arabia also funds the building of mosques and schools, as they spread their agenda and Arabic Islam. 

St. Polycarp's Church near Eastleigh, was attacked on September 30th of last year.  The worship service was being help for children age 6-10.  A grenade was thrown into the church and a 9 year old boy was killed, and a total of 9 children were hospitalized.  Police believe the attack was in retaliation to the UN ousting Al-Shabab from Kismayo, its last stronghold in Somalia, the day before.  Another predominantly Muslim area is Garissa.  On November 4th, a church was attacked with a grenade and the chaplain was killed while 11 others were wounded.  On July 1st, two attacks were carried out simultaneously at two different churches.  In the first attack, grenades were thrown into the church before gunmen entered and started shooting.  Others were shot as they tried to flee the building.  A total of 17 people were killed at the location, including two police officers who were on guard as a precaution against extremists.  The second attack was only 2 miles away, and 3 were seriously injured by the grenades.  More than 70 people were injured in all between the two attacks.  The governement has noticed that attacks against churches have increased since Kenyan troops went into Somalia in October 2011.  In late August in Mombasa, Muslim rioters attacked five churches and killed two people, including a police officer, after an unknown gunman killed a radical Muslim cleric.  Al-Shabab supported the rioters by saying that "Muslims must take the matter into their own hands, stand united against the Kuffar [non-believers] and take all necessary measures to protect their religion, their honor, their property and their lives from the enemies of Islam."  In the city of Mtwapa, hundreds of Christians were at an outdoor service when a hand grenade was thrown towards the pastor's podium, killing a woman and an 8 year old boy.  More than 30 people were wounded.  Only 300 meters away, Muslims were holding their own meeting and the Islamic speakers were vilifying Christianity in their message to the crowd. 

Political issues are also increasingly impacting the churches. Examples are intimidation of the press, human rights abuses, ethnic discrimination and, above all, the controversial points in the new constitution. Christianity is increasingly politicized as many churches seek to transform Kenyan politics with new parties and fresh vision.  Mainstream Christian leaders in Kenya object to the constitution on four major points.  The first is that the Proposed Constitution of Kenya in Sec 26(4) reiterates and reaffirms the current Kenyan penal code by stating: Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law. The church insists that the weak drafting of the clause, especially the last two parts, could allow for the same clause to be used to enact laws or justify procurement of on-demand abortion. The second issue is that the Proposed Constitution of Kenya in Sec 24(4) exempts a section of society that profess Islam as their religion from broad sections of the Bill of Rights that relate with Personal Status, Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance.  The last two issue are that the Proposed Constitution of Kenya in Sec 170 provides for the establishment of Kadhi Courts, and the Proposed Constitution of Kenya in Sec 170 (2)a discriminates against all other sectors of society by limiting the Kadhi's Job opportunity only to persons that profess the Muslim religion. The church leaders also insist that for the clarity of the separation of religion and state doctrine and equality of religion, the Kadhi courts should not be in the constitution at all.

Info compiled from CIAWorldFactBook "Kenya", VOMC "Kenya", ICC "Kenya"
----------------------------------------------------------
The Last Taboo-Kenya (About Hygiene; Feb 2013)

Al-Shabab recruiting Kenyan youth (Nov 2011)


Latest on Kenya War on Al-Shabab (Oct 2011)

Tanzania: Break Down of Harmony

"Peace is more than the absence of war.  Peace is accord. Harmony." -Laini Taylor


Africa is a continent riddled with civil wars and strife.  If a nation is not at war or in the middle of a violent conflict, then we sometimes overlook the concerns that are happening within them for more obvious issues.  While it may not be so obvious, change is happening in Tanzania and not all of it is good.  For many years the people of Tanzania have lived in harmony with one another; the Christians, Muslims, and Animalists each representing a third of the population.  Since no one group can claim a majority hold over the nation, the government has no political agenda that favors one over the other.  However, in recent years, militant Muslims in the North of Africa have been pouring resources into the East African nations to radicalize the Muslim populations there and to wipe out any trace of Christianity.  Attacks are on the rise and destruction of church property is no longer a surprise.  While the country may be experiencing a break down of harmony, the church is growing in unity.  The attacks have only served to bring the Christian community together even more as they pray for faith to see them through their coming trials.  As we pray for Tanzania this month, let us not forget that our God is faithful; He walks with us through the valleys, and no matter what we may face, we are never alone.  
-----------------------------------------------------
Tanzania

Basic Info: Tanzania is a country slightly larger than twice the size of California in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique.  It is comprised of mainland Tanganyika and the offshore islands of Zanzibar and Pemba (2,460 sq km).  The population is 48,261,942 (July 2013 est.) people; the mainland is 99% African (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), and the other 1% consists of Asian, European, and Arab.  Zanzibar is a mixture of Arab, African, and mixed Arab and African.  There are a total of 127 languages, but Swahili is the official language and English is the official language primarily used for commerce, administration, and higher education. Only 2% speak only Swahili and no local African language.  Arabic is widely spoken in Zanzibar. About 26% of the population is urban.  The average life expectancy is 60 years, but that is in part to AIDS.  Besides AIDS, some problems this country faces are soil degradation, deforestation, desertification, destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats, recent droughts affected marginal agriculture, and wildlife is threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory.  The International Maritime Bureau reports that shipping in territorial and offshore waters in the Indian Ocean remain at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, especially as Somali-based pirates extend their activities south.  Numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway.  Crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen. Tanzania still hosts more than a half million refugees, more than any other African country, mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite the international community's efforts at repatriation; refugees (country of origin): 67,549 (Burundi) (2011); 62,978 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2012). The country is also targeted by traffickers moving hashish, Afghan heroin, and South American cocaine transported down the East African coastline, through airports, or overland through Central Africa.  Zanzibar likely used by traffickers for drug smuggling.  Traffickers in the past have recruited Tanzanian couriers to move drugs through Iran into East Asia.

Government: Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule ended in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers claims of voting irregularities. The formation of a government of national unity between Zanzibar's two leading parties succeeded in minimizing electoral tension in 2010.  The country is a republic and legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital, and the National Assembly now meets there on a regular basis.   The Executive Branch with all ministries and diplomatic representation remains located in Dar es Salaam. The President of Tanzania is Jakaya Kikwete, but Zanzibar also elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar, who currently is Ali Mohamed Shein. The National Assembly or Bunge is unicameral.  There are 357 seats: 239 members elected by popular vote, 102 allocated to women nominated by the president, 5 to members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives.   Besides enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland.  Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives with jurisdiction exclusive to Zanzibar (the Zanzibar House of Representatives has 50 seats).

Economy: Tanzania is one of the world's poorest economies in terms of per capita income, and about 36% of the population is below the poverty line.  However, it has achieved high overall growth rates based on gold production and tourism. Tanzania has mostly completed its transition to a liberalized market economy, though the government retains a presence in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy, and mining. The economy depends on agriculture, which accounts for more than one-quarter of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs about 80% of the work force. The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's aging economic infrastructure, including rail and port infrastructure that are important trade links for inland countries. The financial sector in Tanzania has expanded in recent years and foreign-owned banks account for about 48% of the banking industry's total assets. Competition among foreign commercial banks has resulted in significant improvements in the efficiency and quality of financial services, though interest rates are still relatively high, reflecting high fraud risk. All land in Tanzania is owned by the government, which can lease land for up to 99 years. Proposed reforms to allow for land ownership, particularly foreign land ownership, remain unpopular. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported a positive growth rate, despite the world recession. In 2008, Tanzania received the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact grant, worth $698 million, and in December 2012 the Millennium Challenge Corporation selected Tanzania for a second Compact. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus and loosened monetary policy to ease the impact of the global recession. GDP growth in 2009-12 was a respectable 6% per year due to high gold prices and increased production.

Religion: mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim

The strong church planting movement in Tanzania has, since the 1980s, brought about new agencies within the country and a greater level of partnership between nationals and expatriate missionaries. There is a strong focus on planting new churches and reaching the remaining unevangelized peoples of Tanzania, with much fruit evident in recent years among animist and Muslim populations. Swahili is used in 96% of church services even though it is not the heart language of the majority. Pray for the development of songs, teaching and resources in the first languages of all Tanzania’s peoples.  AIDS continues to spread and affect many. It has now afflicted over 1.7 million (8.8% of the population) and orphaned over one million children. Tanzania’s social fabric and economic structure are deeply affected. There are several initiatives led by religious and church communities for prevention, counseling and care. 

Militant Muslims have been on the rise in Tanzania.  One teenager, Eva Abdullah, converted from Islam to Christianity, and her parents disowned her and a group of radicals in her hometown of Bagher amoyo tried to persuade her to renounce her Christian faith. When she refused, they falsely accused her of desecrating a Quran. Many Christian leaders were afraid to defend Eva because of Muslim dominance in the district, and her father is a district Islamic leader. Eva was sentenced to two years in prison by a judge who was allegedly bribed by Islamic militants. A year after Eva had been in prison, the blasphemy charges against her were acquitted by the High Court of Tanzania. A VOM contact in the region believes that it was because of the prison letters that Eva received that helped to free her.  Christians in Tanzania have lost churches, homes, cars and livestock in a series of recent attacks, and some have received physical injuries. In the most recent attack, Muslims returning from worship at a mosque in October burned a car belonging to Bishop Muhiche of the Tanzania Assemblies of God church. After burning his car, the extremists moved on to destroy the pastor’s church. “Police had to intervene, but it was too late,” said a VOM contact. “They had to use a helicopter to help some Christians escape the attacks. When I went there, we were confronted by the police using tear-gas bombs to scatter the attackers.” Muslims tried to keep the incident quiet by confiscating journalists’ video cameras, but the news was still broadcast on all the local television stations.

Most recently, on June 2, the home of Pastor Robert Ngai in Geita town, northeastern Tanzania, was attacked by a large group of radical Muslims. The attackers broke into the home and attacked Pastor Ngai with machetes. The pastor received serious cuts on his hands and arms when he raised his arms to protect his head from the blows. Doctors at the local hospital said the injuries were beyond their ability to treat, and urged that he be rushed to a hospital in a nearby, larger city for treatment.  At last word from VOM contacts, he was still in ICU. Geita town is less than 50 miles from Buseresere, the city where Pastor Mathayo Kachili was killed by radical Muslims in February.  Two nights before the attack on Pastor Ngai, the home of Pastor Daudi Nzumbi in Geita also came under attack. Pastor Nzumbi leads the Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania (FPCT) congregation in Geita. Thankfully, the attackers fled after they were confronted by Pastor Nzumbi’s large, barking dogs.  When Pastor Nzumbi heard his dogs barking, he looked out the window and saw the attackers. He called the police, but the officer in charge told him, “I cannot protect every pastor!”
VOM contacts are working to get more details on these attacks, and to offer encouragement and assistance to these two pastors and other Christians in Tanzania affected by violent Islamic attacks.

Info compiled from CIAWorldFactBook "Tanzania"; Operation World "Tanzania"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invest Africa Episode 10: Tanzania


Tanzania: Islamic Persecutors Target Christian Pastors


Tanzanian Christians to Obama: "Please speak out"

Liberia: On its Knees

"Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time." -Charles Stanley

Liberia is a country that has been ravaged by civil war, ethnic cleansing, and military abuse.  Reports of what has taken place in the country are staggering.  Child soldiers were common in many factions because all of the parents were killed in the fighting and they often had no where else to go.  Commanders led units of boys who were high on drugs into the fighting who committed terrible atrocities.  Footage of interviews that took place during the fighting and even after are too graphic to include here.  Since the fighting went on for 14 years, there is a whole generation of children who grew up knowing only war and how to fight.  They have no other skills or education, and that is one of the greatest challenges now moving forward.  For people that have only known safety and power from behind a gun, getting them to see another way will take a miracle from God.  Thankfully, our God is great and mighty and His power is limitless and His compassion is overflowing.  Let us be on our knees for this country that has experienced evil in a very personal way.  Let us pray for the struggling church in Liberia; that God would raise up leaders for His people that they may make straight the paths and prepare the way for the work of rebuilding their nation, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Liberia

Basic Info: Liberia is located in Western Arica, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone.  It is slightly larger than Tennessee, and it has mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeast.  Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars.  The inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture, so the main natural resources are iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, and hydropower.  The main ethnic groups are  Kpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, other 20.1% (2008 Census).  English is the official language, but it is only spoken by about 20% of the population.  There are about 20 ethnic group languages, but few of them can be written or used in correspondence.  Of the 3,989,703 (July 2013 est.) population, about 48% are urban. The average life expectancy is 57.81 years and about 60.8% are literate.  Civil unrest continues to decline with the help of the 18,000 UN peacekeepers since January 2007, but there are still Liberian refugees remaining in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana.  Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire, about 61,153.  It is difficult to determine how many internally displaced persons there are from the civil war, but many live in slums in Monrovia.  Despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to Ivorian cocoa plantations.   Liberia is also a transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets.  Corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center.

Government: The area known today as Liberia began as a settlement of freed slaves from the US in 1822. By 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic, but they also recreated the slave system that they had left behind in America. William Tubman, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendants of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel Doe ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles Taylor launched a rebellion against Doe's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which Doe was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought Taylor to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles Taylor, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to power. She subsequently won reelection in 2011 in a second round vote that was boycotted by the opposition and remains challenged to build Liberia's economy and reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. The United Nations Security Council in September 2012 passed Resolution 2066 which calls for a reduction of UN troops in Liberia by half by 2015, bringing the troop total down to fewer than 4000, and challenging Liberia's security sector to fill the gaps. The country has a mixed legal system of common law (based on Anglo-American law) and customary law.

Economy: Liberia is a low income country heavily reliant on foreign assistance for revenue.  Around 80% (2000 est.) of the population is below the poverty line.  Civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2006, several have returned. Liberia has the distinction of having the highest ratio of direct foreign investment to GDP in the world. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, primarily raw timber and rubber and is reviving those sectors. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. President Johnson Sirleaf, a Harvard-trained banker and administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment. Embargos on timber and diamond exports have been lifted, opening new sources of revenue for the government and Liberia shipped its first major timber exports to Europe in 2010. The country reached its Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative completion point in 2010 and nearly $5 billion of international debt was permanently eliminated. This new status will enable Liberia to establish a sovereign credit rating and issue bonds. Liberia's Paris Club creditors agreed to cancel Liberia's debt as well. The IMF has completed the sixth review of Liberia's extended credit facility, bringing total disbursements to over $379 million. The African Development Bank approved a grant of $48 million in 2011 to support economic governance and competitiveness. Rebuilding infrastructure and raising incomes will depend on generous financial and technical assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation. The country has achieved high growth during 2010-12 due to favorable world prices for its commodities.  The limited phone services available are found almost exclusively in the capital Monrovia.  Fixed-line service is stagnant and extremely limited. Telephone coverage has extended to a number of other towns and rural areas by four mobile-cellular network operators.  Mobile-cellular subscription is growing and teledensity reached 50 per 100 persons in 2011.  There are 3 private TV stations, but satellite TV service is available.  There is 1 state-owned radio station, and about 15 independent radio stations broadcasting in Monrovia, with another 25 local stations operating in other areas.  Most sections of the railways were inoperable because of damage suffered during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003, but many are being rebuilt (2008).


Religion: Christian 41%, Evangelicals 14%, Ethnoreligionist 42%, (Muslim 12.2%)

While the country has a deep Christian history and many churches exist throughout the country, tribal tradition and the many civil wars have done a lot to demoralize and decimate the church.  Since the civil war, many church buildings need to be repaired because few were untouched by looting and vandalism.  Many institutions that were closed, such as schools, Bible colleges, and hospitals, need to be reopened.  The church is often characterized by scriptural ignorance and materialism. As chaos seized the nation, established churches dissolved. Witchcraft is prevalent throughout the culture.  Reports of human sacrifice and cannibalism took place during the civil wars.  A number of syncretistic African independent churches have increased in recent years. The majority of congregations and pastors are open to sensitive teaching and instruction. CenterPoint International Foundation, Development Associates International and Christian Education Foundation of Liberia are a few of the agencies at work in this capacity. Leadership development is a great need because trained spiritual leaders are few. Many leaders had to flee or were killed during the wars and most Bible training was brought to a halt. Some refugees who studied theology in the West or elsewhere in Africa are returning with wider vision. Bible schools and seminaries are opening and rebuilding – the Baptist Seminary, Africa Bible College University, the ACFI Christian College, Liberia International Christian College (ULIC), and a Lutheran training center among them. Trauma counseling needs to be an integral part of training for Christian leaders and pastors. Pray for the raising up of a new generation of leaders who preach the whole gospel without compromise, competitiveness or jealousies. The physical needs in Liberia are many – poverty, illiteracy and under-education, HIV/AIDS, public health and sanitation, agricultural reclamation, and vocational training.

Information compiled from CIAWorldFactBook "Liberia"; Operation World "Liberia"

----------------------------------------------------------------

Liberia-America's Stepchild pt 5 (President Doe and the beginning of the Rebels)

 

Liberia-America's Stepchild pt 6 (Execution of President Doe and election of President Taylor)

The Violent Coast: Liberia and Sierra Leone (March 6, 2003)

 Between War and Peace-Liberia (2004)



Female Peace Keepers-Liberia (2008)



A Conversation with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Sept 2012)