By Barry Curtis
“Oh GOD what is your color? Is it that my humanity is burdened by a color so different than yours? Oh GOD what is your color? Have you so forsaken me because of the dark that I am? Oh GOD what is your color? Are we not all alike when shinned upon by divine light? Oh GOD what is your color?
There is good and evil in the world, but in Africa there is mostly evil. Over the past 30 years there has been increasingly diligent efforts by Muslim extremists to drive out Christians. The struggle to defend and save Christians rages all over Africa.
The decades old civil strife in war torn Sudan is just one example. Although the country officially split (north and south) we have the mostly Islamic population of the north virtually engaged in the extermination of the Christian faith. President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir has been engaged in an evil campaign to exterminate Christians. Private relief organizations and some friendly African governments are frantically attempting to relocate thousands of Christians from the north to the mostly Christian south.
The Middle Eastern Quarterly reports, “About five million people have been displaced, while half a million more have fled across an international border. Tens of thousands of women and children have been abducted and subjected to slavery. By all accounts, it appears to be the worst humanitarian disaster in the world today.”
Other regions of Africa are faring no better. An Italian missionary has said Islamist extremists are targeting Christians throughout the Central African Republic, and “the bloodiest treatment has often been reserved for Catholic catechists.” In addition a pastor reports, this “reign of terror” is being conducted against Christians by the Seleka rebels and they have a hit list of pastors and other Christian workers. Places of worship are also under attack. Properties owned by Christians are being looted. As a result of the persecution, many Christians have fled to the countryside and are too fearful to return to their homes. More than 200,000 people are internally displaced, while 49,000 refugees have been registered in neighboring countries.
We see the handy work of Islamic extremist in Nigeria as well. The Morning Star News is reporting, “An attack in Nigeria that killed 18 Christians has capped two years of Islamic aggression. It says that Muslim Fulani herdsmen are suspected in another deadly assault in the area.”
The atrocities of these Muslim extremist seem to be endless in Africa. What is clear is this is a result, in part, of decades of neglect by western powers and several decades of devastating natural disasters. Together the combination leaves Africa burning with death.
However, there is a renewed sense of hope in Africa. China and Europe are looking at the mineral rich sub-Saharan African nations as an economic boost to their stalling economies.
The United States is also showing signs of interest in Africa. Recently we have seen the establishment of the African military command. In addition, we have seen more emphasis by former Presidents placed on Africa and the quality of life for its inhabitants.
What is clear is this administration has failed Africa. The Obama administration has never defined how these African nations fit into America’s geopolitical strategy. How do we combat Muslim extremist in Africa when the White House refuses to even acknowledge those Muslim extremists are at war with America, not only Christianity?
I call on the Obama administration to do more than have moral outrage, but show statesmanlike courage and determination in defending Christians in Africa and around the world. It is clear we must accept the fact Muslim extremism is the greatest threat to U.S. policy abroad. Although the White House may not want to admit Muslim fascists exist, they are killing us off while we ponder a politically correct response.
You can follow Barry Curtis at Twitter.com/barrysusa or listen to the Curtis Report on KLIF Sunday at 5 p.m. weekly
