“He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones “
The International Christian Concerns (ICC) reported on the 27th that a peaceful transfer of power is taking place through presidential elections in Senegal, West Africa, which is suffering from coups, gangs, and armed groups.
Senegal was in chaos before the presidential election, with a prominent figure imprisoned and the election schedule changed four times, but as a result of the presidential election, a peaceful change of power took place after 12 years, and power was transferred to Bassirou Diomaye Faye of the Pastef party. Faye, 44, became the youngest head of state in Senegal’s history.
Senegal is different from its neighbouring countries in northwestern Africa, where there have been eight coups since the beginning of 2020. Freedom House, an international human rights organization, gave Senegal’s freedom index a score of 67 out of 100, calling it “partially free.”
According to the U.S. International Religious Freedom Report, the Senegalese Constitution guarantees religious freedom as long as public order is maintained, and government leaders continue to stress the importance of “tolerance and peaceful coexistence among religious-based communities.”
The population of Senegal is about 97.2 % Muslim and 2.7 % Christian. Faye, a devout Muslim, has stressed the need for religious tolerance and freedom and founded the Pastef political party to stress the need for religious freedom and tolerance. The Pastef stresses four focal points such as patriotism, work, ethics, and philanthropy.
Despite the fact that Christians are a very minor group in Senegal’s population, the government prioritizes religious freedom, and the government rarely continues to persecute them. The power change demonstrated in the most recent elections is invaluable to Christians in that it has shown the West African country to work harder for stability, democracy, and humanitarian freedom.
“We praise God for protecting many Christians from the catastrophic effects of violence and corruption in the Senegalese elections,” the ICC said. “We pray that the government and people of Senegal will continue to prioritize human rights, especially religious freedom. We pray that the new Senegalese society will continue to cherish the voices of Christians. We pray for peace under President Faye’s rule.” (Source: Gospel According to the General Newspaper)
He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. (Proverbs 2:7-9)
God, we confess that You are the ruler of Senegal, and praise the Lord for silencing the chaos and crisis leading to the presidential election and bringing a peaceful regime change through elections. May the president-elect Faye come before God who gives wisdom, rule this country with righteousness and justice, and have a good influence on the surrounding countries amid chaos. May You preserve the way so that a small number of saints can worship freely and spread the gospel so that they may live under God’s reign beyond democratization and humanitarian development.
Prayer 24·365
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