Day 9
Mali
The UN Secretary-General reported being highly concerned by the increase in the number of grave violations committed against children in Mali. More than half the population of Mali is under the age of 18. About a third of them live in areas affected by armed conflict. These violations include the recruitment and use of children, killing and maiming, attacks on schools and hospitals, abduction, and denial of humanitarian access. Displaced minors are at risk of being separated from their families. UNICEF also estimates that two million children are out of school due to insecurity, poverty, child labor, early marriages, or the absence of schools. Pray for children and youngsters suffering disproportionately under the ongoing crisis.
Pray for the rulers to seek God’s wisdom to restore order in the nation (The Bible, Exodus 20:13).
Source:
Mali has jumped seven points up and is listed in 17th 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.

Day 9
Azerbaijan
The US attempted to host meetings between Azerbaijan and Armenia to negotiate a pathway towards peace and agreement on land. However, Azerbaijan refused to attend, saying that the US was biased towards Armenia and that the US was not welcome in Azerbaijan for the same reason. Pray for God’s wisdom to prevail. Pray that the hand of war and strife will be held back, allowing for a peaceful solution between the two nations without loss of life. Pray that those who would seek conflict would be silenced. As we welcome the Prince of Peace into the world this Christmas season, welcome the Prince of Peace into Azerbaijan and Armenia (The Bible, Isaiah 9:6).
Source: Azerbaijan snubs Armenia meeting in Washington, accusing US of bias (Reuters)
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.
