Eritrea: "the North Korea of Africa"
Population: 5.4 million
Main Religion: Islam 50% Christianity 50%
Government: One-party state
Eritrea is under the control of a dictator and the so-called 'People's Front for Democracy and Justice' exerts absolute control over its citizens, including their religious life.
All religious groups must be registered. Although members of the Eritrean Coptic Church enjoy relative freedom, other denominations are seen as 'agents of the West'. The government's tough stance on religion can affect Muslims as well as Christians, though radical Muslims appear to be gaining support.
Thousands of believers have been imprisoned in horrific conditions - some are kept in metal shipping containers in scorching temperatures, others undergo forced manual labour.
Please pray for:
- the President, Isaias Afwerki
- Eritrean Christians to be sustained and protected
- ultimately, an end to persecution.
A Prayer to pray:
God of all comfort, for those who are tortured both in body and mind, give them the grace to endure and to see their suffering as part of following in Christ’s footsteps.
Merciful God, for those asked to pay the ultimate price; who are martyred because of their love for you, may they truly know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
For more information, visit www.opendoorsuk.org
