Open Doors Launches Petition Against Anti-Christian Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa

Open Doors UK & Ireland has launched the “Arise Africa” petition, seeking one million signatures to demand increased protection for Christians facing sectarian violence across sub-Saharan Africa. The organization reports that an average of 12 Christians are killed daily in the region due to their faith, with Nigeria experiencing the highest number of these fatalities. The petition urges international bodies, including the United Nations and the African Union, to prioritize the safety of believers and ensure that perpetrators of these attacks are held accountable.

The initiative highlights the severe persecution documented in the 2026 Open Doors World Watch List, which identifies 17 African nations among the 50 countries where Christians face the most significant hostility. Somalia and Nigeria are noted as areas of particular concern, with Somalia ranked as the second most dangerous country globally for Christians. CEO Tiffany Barrans stated that the petition aims to compel world leaders to address the ongoing suffering of African Christian communities. As of late October 2026, the campaign had gathered more than 919,600 signatures.