Over 16 Million Christians Displaced Amid Islamist Violence Across Africa in 2025
More than 16 million Christians were displaced across sub-Saharan Africa in 2025 amid widespread Islamist violence. Countries severely affected include Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, Cameroon, and Mozambique.
Nigeria experienced the worst persecution during the year, with deadly attacks, kidnappings, and village burnings perpetrated by Islamist militants. In June, about 200 people were killed in Benue State. Additionally, 130 Nigerian schoolchildren who had been kidnapped were reportedly released this week. Despite this, fears remain high for Christian communities, especially during Christmas.
U.S. military strikes against Islamic State militants in Nigeria around Christmas 2025 were cited as evidence of President Trump's commitment to protecting Africa's Christians. The administration also indicated a visa crackdown in response to the Nigerian attacks.
Advocacy groups such as Open Doors and its Arise Africa campaign have warned of an ongoing wave of Islamist violence targeting Christians in sub-Saharan Africa and have called for increased global awareness and action.
In the DRC, ISIS-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants killed Christians, including approximately 70 beheadings in February and 89 fatalities at a funeral in September. The DRC's population is about 95% Christian.
In Sudan, roughly 2 million Christians, about 4% of the population, face persecution amid ongoing war. Churches have been bombed and Christians have suffered discrimination, with reports from Darfur indicating widespread starvation among Christians.
Mozambique's ISIS-linked insurgency also targets Christians, who make up about 55% of the population. The October attack in Napala killed 20 Christians and displaced around 2,000 people, contributing to over 1.3 million displaced nationwide.
