Bamako, 02 January, 2026 / 6:16 pm (ACI Africa).
Church leaders in Mali have pushed back against reports suggesting that Christians are facing targeted persecution in the West African nation, attributing such claims to “external perceptions” and underscoring the country’s long-standing culture of peaceful coexistence between members of religious communities.
In a statement issued on December 31, the religious leaders, who include members of the Episcopal Conference of Mali (CEM), the Association of Groups of Evangelical Protestant Churches and Missions of Mali (AGEMPEM), acknowledge Mali’s ongoing security challenges but stress that these affect all Malians, not Christians in particular.
“We wish to emphasize that, contrary to certain external perceptions, Christians are not particularly threatened in Mali,” the church leaders say.
While noting the broader insecurity Malians face, they affirm that Christian life and worship continue without restriction. They say, “Although our country is facing security challenges that affect all segments of the population, Christian communities continue to practice their worship freely.”
According to the religious leaders, churches remain open and pastoral activities ongoing across the country, with interreligious initiatives playing a central role in maintaining social cohesion. They say, “Churches remain open, pastoral activities continue, and initiatives for interreligious dialogue help to strengthen ties between communities.”
