Mali Church Leader Voices Alarm as Islamists Attack Parishes

The Catholic Herald (UK) ^ | 10/6/17 | Jonathon Luxmoore

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Militants told Christians they would be killed if they were seen in church

Catholic leaders in Mali have warned that parishes face a growing assault by Islamic militants despite attempts to enforce a peace deal in the north African country.

“Our churches and chapels are now being targeted by extremists, who’ve told Christians not to gather to pray,” said Mgr Edmond Dembele, secretary-general of the Malian bishops’ conference.

“The authorities are trying to reimpose control, and we may learn more about what kind of strategy is being followed,” he told Catholic News Service. “But we’re also alarmed the attacks are being mounted by isolated Islamist groups, acting in their own name.”

Tensions were running high in September and early October in Mali’s central Mopti region after several Catholic churches were ransacked and torched, forcing parishioners to flee.

Mgr Dembele said it was unclear which groups were involved and what their motives were.

“We have no security programme of our own and we rely on the authorities to provide protection and find solutions,” Mgr Dembele said.

“On previous occasions, the government has deployed military units in our parishes. But this still hasn’t been done against these new attacks.”

The attacks occurred as the Malian government is attempting to implement the 2015 peace deal with rebel fighters. The agreement called for the rebels to be integrated into the national arm.