Mali

Although fierce fighting continues to be concentrated in northern and central Mali, the south and the region around Bamako are also coming under increasing pressure. Islamist terrorist groups such as JNIM (al-Qaeda), Islamic State in the Sahara (ISGS), and Ansar Dine have expanded their activities and are now also attacking in the south. They attack convoys, set up roadblocks, and use booby traps to undermine state control. In the fall of 2025, JNIM exacerbated the crisis by targeting tanker trucks. The result: a drastic fuel shortage, rising prices, and restricted school operations. At the same time, the number of displaced persons continues to rise. Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing the war-torn regions to the south, with many seeking refuge in the Bamako metropolitan area. According to UNHCR figures, hundreds of thousands of Malians are now living as internally displaced persons, while additional people from neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso are seeking refuge in Mali. This is putting even greater pressure on the already fragile infrastructure and supply systems.

Christians in Mali live under extremely difficult conditions, especially those in areas controlled by Islamist terrorist groups such as JNIM, ISGS, and Ansar Dine. These groups have expanded their power not only in the north, but also in central and southern regions. There, they put Christians under enormous pressure: communities receive ultimatums, churches must close, and Christian activities are prohibited. Those who refuse are threatened, expelled, or murdered. In some villages, Christians have been forced to pay a special tax—the so-called “jizya”—or face the closure of their churches. Worship services, music, and any public practice of faith are prohibited. Many Christians have had to leave their homes because they fear violence, kidnapping, and forced conversion. Converts from Islam are particularly at risk, often persecuted by their own families. Property, land rights, and even access to water are uncertain for Christians, as extremists seize these resources. Mali is ranked 15th on the World Watch List – an indication of the extreme oppression that now extends far beyond the north. For Christians in the north, this means practicing their faith only in secret and under constant threat to their lives. In the south, more and more people are now preparing for similar circumstances.