AFRICA/NIGER - March against Boko Haram; Christians call nation to unite

Niamey (Agenzia Fides) – Anti-Christian violence which affected the Catholic community in Nigeria in January has the same roots as Boko Haram activity now threatening Niger, Fides learned in a message from the Groupe de Réflexion et d’Actions des Cadres Chrétiens Catholiques du Niger (GRAC Niger), on occasion of a national demonstration against Boko Haram in Niger tomorrow, 17 February.
“Almost a month has passed since those unexpected and tragic events which we cannot explain” says the statement referring to events in January and anti-Christian violence which heavily affected the Church (see Fides 21 and 22 January 2015). Moreover Niger is being targeted by the Nigerian Islamic sect Boko Haram which has attacked the border town of Diffa (see Fides 10/2/2015). The message connects the two events: “Let us not be misled, brothers and sisters of Nigeria, those who destroyed our churches and our infrastructures are those against whom we march. They are the result of intolerance, hatred and exclusion”.
GRAC Niger recalls the exhortation addressed to Nigerians in 2014: “That which unites us from the cultural, political and religious point of view is far stronger than that which divides us: this bond is love for our homeland. (…). We are rich in our differences and very proud of our roots”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/2/2015)