2015, Algeria brokered a peace deal between the nomadic Tuareg separatists and Mali. Now, in a surprising turn of events, the military junta scuttled the deal in favor of bringing Russia’s Wagner mercenaries to deal with the separatists. While the move will bring the military leadership closer to their newfound ally, Russia, it will lead to more bloodshed of the innocent. These corrupt military leaders are choosing to harm their people instead of protecting them. 

Lord, repay the military junta in Mali with Your divine retribution and wrath according to the evil they have done. When evil comes against innocent civilians like a flood, oh Lord, raise a standard against them (The Bible, Isaiah 59:19).

Mali has jumped seven points up and is listed in 17^th position in the World Watch report 2023 by Open Doors for Christian persecution. Malians continue to live under the threat of Islamic extremist groups that took control of the country’s northern region. Pressure against the Churches is rising, and missionaries are at constant risk of abduction. President of the Republic of Mali is incumbent Assimi Goïta Interim since 24 May 2021and Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga, since 21 August 2022. Mali struggles to keep peace with ever-present tribal tensions, and the presence of many radical Islamic militant groups in the north. The Malian government and northern armed groups signed an internationally mediated peace accord. Although a secular state with religious freedom, Islamization severely hampers opportunities to reach Malians. The northern regions are home to at least three known Islamic terror groups and are nearly impossible for the government and security forces to police.

The snap elections in Azerbaijan delivered the expected result for the incumbent President Ilham Aliyev. The initial poll surveys showed Aliyev losing ground to the opposition. However, after an effective clampdown on the press media in the country, the ruling party freely went after the opposition leadership. A snap election was the best opportunity for the ruling party to return to power with a weakened opposition. In recent years, several 10/40 Window countries abandoned proper electoral practices to seize power by silencing the opposition.

Pray for the President’s family members to have a powerful encounter with the resurrected Christ Jesus like Saul did on the Road to Damascus (The Bible, Acts 9:3-4).

Azerbaijan has been riding the line for years between democracy and fiefdom. Its New Azerbaijan Party is accused of authoritarianism and bribery. It imprisons corruption-busting journalists and human rights advocates. Friction with neighboring Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh disputed territory turned into an outright war from September to November 2020. Though a peace deal was negotiated, relations between the two nations have continued to be tense. Oil export revenues have aided the Azeri population, elevating living standards and increasing military strength. Yet, poverty and corruption plague the nation. The Church experiences ongoing restrictions, especially with raids on church meetings and homes of church leaders, and detentions of Christians continue.