Devotion quotient

Africa | Revival in Eritrea only increases the probability of persecution | Priya Abraham

Eritrea's distinction as Africa's newest country—winning liberation in 1991 from Ethiopia after 30 years of war—is superceded only by its growing reputation as one of the continent's—and the world's—worst persecutors.

Since New Year's Day the government has intensified a campaign against Christians, arresting 230. In the last three years authorities have imprisoned about 400 Christians. The Marxist state views devoted followers of almost any religion as threats to national stability. Officials have usually denied the existence of persecution, but in late March, the Eritrean ambassador to the United States justified state action by comparing evangelicals to al-Qaeda terrorists.

Officially, Eritrea recognizes only Islam and three churches: the historical Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Evangelical Lutheran denominations. Since January, however, authorities also targeted reformist or charismatic segments within the three. According to Compass News, police arrested 25 Catholics rehearsing for a wedding in the capital, Asmara. They arrested 27 teachers and young students in an Orthodox Sunday school group known as Medhane Alem.