June 17, 2025
Radical Islam driving African persecution of Christians, ICC reports
‘Troubling Trend: Escalating Persecution of Christians in Africa’ report confirms the rise of attacks in Nigeria, two other key nations
WASHINGTON — International Christian Concern (ICC) (persecution.org) reported an alarming increase in attacks on Christians in three African nations — Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya — during the first quarter of 2025.
Radical organizations, including Islamic militant groups, have stepped up their persecution of Christian believers, the U.S.-based advocacy group said in a three-part “Troubling Trends: Escalating Persecution of Christians in Africa” report.
“The escalating violence against Christians in Africa is primarily driven by the rise of Islamic militant groups, along with corrupt, complicit and ineffective governments,” said Jeff King, ICC president and a leading expert on religious persecution. “We are witnessing a frontal attack on Christian freedom at a time when the church is seeing rapid growth in Africa.”
Despite having large Christian populations — an estimated 95% of the DRC is Christian, as is half of Nigeria, and 85.5% of Kenyans — each nation is seeing attacks on Christian populations because of the rise in Islamic persecution.
In Kenya’s northeast, fervent Muslim Somalis represent 9 out of 10 people, and Christian pastors and converts from Islam are targeted. Ongoing attacks in the DRC by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have given rise to what are described as “brazen and shocking” violence. At least 134 Christians were martyred in Nigeria between January and April of this year, again in Muslim-dominated areas.
In releasing the report, ICC is calling for urgent international attention and action to address these escalating trends. “Troubling Trends: Escalating Persecution of Christians in Africa” highlights ongoing efforts in the U.S. Congress, such as H. Res. 220, which seeks to reinstate Nigeria’s classification as a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. Department of State. ICC urges U.S. citizens to contact their representatives and advocate for its passage.
“The United States can — and must — take the lead in focusing global attention on this burgeoning persecution and do what it can to protect those whose beliefs and very lives are under constant threat,” said King.
Jeff King has served as International Christian Concern (ICC) (persecution.org) president since 2003 and is one of the world’s top experts on religious persecution. He has advocated for the persecuted everywhere, testifying before the U.S. Congress on religious freedom. He has been interviewed by leading media outlets such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and The Washington Times. Jeff is also the host of “Faith Under Fire,” a podcast dedicated to sharing stories of the persecuted church from around the world. “Faith Under Fire” is available on LifeAudio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available. Jeff King is available as a guest speaker. To learn more, go to Christian Persecution and Spiritual Growth Speaker | Jeff King Blog.
Since 1995, ICC has served the global persecuted church through a three-pronged approach of assistance, advocacy and awareness. ICC exists to bandage the wounds of persecuted Christians and to build the church in the toughest parts of the world. Visit the International Christian Concern media page here.
Jeff King is the author of three books, “The Whisper,” (2024) “Last Words of the Martyrs” (2023), and “Islam Uncensored” (2011). Jeff is available to speak at churches and events. For speaking, contact Jaela Bernard: jaelabernard@gmail.com.
###
To interview Jeff King, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Robin Sprague, ext. 103.
