Open Doors is urging Christians worldwide to sign a petition calling for protection, justice and restoration for believers and other vulnerable people facing violence in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Arise Africa petition seeks 1 million signatures. Organizers plan to present it to the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union and national governments in 2026.
The petition asks governments and international bodies to provide stronger protection from militant attacks, pursue fair prosecutions of perpetrators and support healing in communities affected by violence. Open Doors says an average of 12 Christians are killed for their faith each day in sub-Saharan Africa.
The campaign grew from appeals by African church leaders, including Pastor Barnabas, a Nigerian church leader living in a displacement camp after surviving an attack. In material published by Open Doors UK and Ireland, Barnabas said displaced Christians feel “ignored” and “forgotten.”
The violence is reflected in Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, which ranks the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution. Somalia is ranked second worldwide, Sudan fourth, Nigeria seventh and Eritrea fifth; Burkina Faso, Mali, the Central African Republic, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique also appear on the list. Open Doors reports that 4,849 Christians were killed for their faith during the period measured for the 2026 list, including 3,490 in Nigeria.
Open Doors says the Arise Africa campaign began after an appeal from the African church and is intended to raise awareness of violence affecting millions of Christians across the region. Its campaign materials also report that 16.2 million Christians in sub-Saharan Africa have been displaced by violence and conflict.
The petition drive is scheduled to conclude ahead of a planned presentation to international and national authorities in November. Open Doors UK has urged churches and individuals to sign and share the petition before the campaign’s Nov. 2 deadline, according to its latest campaign update.