In rural areas of central and southern Mali, Islamic extremists have filled power vacuums and now operate as an alternative government. The effect on Christians has been extreme, with churches being forced to pay “jiziya” (protection tax) to jihadists or close their doors.
The Church in Mali is under immense pressure. “This story of the payment of taxes by the churches began in 2018 when extremist groups began to process non-aggression agreements with the villages,” a local contact shares.
“The signing of the non-aggression agreements allowed extremist groups to settle in villages under the pretext of protecting the villages from injustice, from the impunity that Malians suffer, and against any other form of aggression or oppression.”
Villages refusing to sign the agreement—mostly Christian villages—are considered enemies of the extremist groups. “These villages were the first victims of tax payments,” our local contact explains.
Villages Under Siege
According to the field report, many villages have agreed to pay the taxes under threat of violence. They have been given an impossible choice. Pay taxes or:
- Suffer war,
- Convert to Islam,
- Abandon their villages,
- Give members of their communities to wage jihad with them, or
- Help wage jihad against the government.
Most Christian churches have agreed to pay the jiziya tax to keep running services for worship, weddings, celebrations, and other programmes.
According to an Open Doors’ field report: “Under the threat of terrorists, churches have paid huge sums of money by selling their provisions and livestock. In some localities in the Koro circle, churches have been closed by the extremist groups. These measures extend to some churches in the circles of Bankass, Bandiagara, Tominian, Bla, and Yorosso.”
Several churches have collectively already paid USD25,000 in 2024, USD49,700 in 2025, and so far in 2026, USD53,000.
Pastors Feel Defeated
Church leaders and their congregants are deeply impacted by these taxes.
Pastor Ousmane Dolo*, a senior church leader says: “The jihadists have passed through several churches and asked millions of francs. It is because of this that we inform you of our difficulties. We are suffering deeply, and here are several people who have suffered. They don’t even have anything to eat because they gave everything to the jihadists. No food, that’s why we’re sharing all this with you.”
Jo Newhouse*, Open Doors’ spokesperson for Sub-Saharan Africa, adds, “The government of Mali and her international partners need to do all in their power to protect the Christian minority against the exploitation of the extremists and so preserve social cohesion, an essential element in the wellbeing of any nation.”
*Names changed for security purposes
Pray
- Pray for the re-opening of churches that are closed.
- Pray for the survival of churches and cessation of tax payments.
- Pray for the end of persecution and terrorism in Mali.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
