Macky Sall a Senegalese geologist and politician is the president and Mohammed Dionne is the Prime Minister. As a model of democratic success, Senegal has remained relatively peaceful and enjoyed economic stability and freedom of the press for years. Agriculture and tourism are the country’s main sources of revenue. Tightened security laws have affected freedoms as the nation has a concern about encroaching militant Islam in the region. Government forces have been deployed increasingly to the border regions this year. Senegal is a Muslim-dominated multi-party democracy but remains accepting of other religions. Christian Believers remain free to worship openly and rarely face persecution. Senegal hosts large refugee numbers. Many African illegal migrants use Senegal as a departure point for Europe.

Jordan is listed in 38^th position in the World Watch report 2021 by Open Doors for Christian persecution. Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein has been King of Jordan. Bisher Al-Khasawneh is the incumbent Prime Minister since 12 October 2020. There are about 8 million people living in Jordan. The original inhabitants of Jordan are the nomadic Bedouin people and many of their traditions still shape the culture, such as in the provision of hospitality.  The prices for food and petrol increase constantly with salaries remaining at the same level. This is a particular challenge. Poverty is on the rise. Jordan’s major population is Muslim; there is a small percentage of Christians. However, Jordanian Christians often live in isolation from Muslims.

The Maldives is Asia’s smallest country by area and population known for its lucrative tourism industry. It is an extremely closed country, claiming to be 100 percent Muslim, and heavily repressing any Christian influence. Only a handful of secret Believers live in the Maldives. With dozens of Maldivians joining IS in recent years, the island nation is believed to be “fertile ground for recruitment” to radical Islam. Surprising results in general elections a few years ago saw the opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih defeating the former president, Abdulla Yameen who faces corruption charges. The new government has begun reforms but has struggled to see any real effective change take place. COVID-19 had a significant impact on the tourism industry in the first half of 2020 and attempts to recover in 2021 were hampered by the severe outbreaks in India.

Nigeria is listed in 9^th position in the World Watch report 2021 by Open Doors for Christian persecution. Muhammadu Buhari is the president of Nigeria. It is Africa’s most populous country. The diversity is represented in 544 people groups. Mangroves and tropical forests are in the south, savanna and grasslands are found in the north. Wetlands along the coast parallel this diversity. Striking differences also exist between the majority Muslim and feudal north and the largely Christian and more developed south. Deep ethnic and religious divisions threaten the nation as a whole. Constant tensions exist between tribal rivalries – particularly in the north and central states where Muslims and Christians coexist. Years of devastating violence by Boko Haram has left roughly 20,000 dead and displaced millions.