Extremist rebels are ruling districts in Mali with an iron fist and foreign troops are planning to invade. Thousands of civilians are fleeing Mali into neighbouring countries, including Niger – a country recently hit by famine and flood and unable to take care of extra mouths to feed. We cannot ignore this evolving crisis.
Muslim extremists have strictly implemented Sharia law in the districts of Gao and Timbuktu. This means, for example, that a lady cannot leave her house without her husband or she will face stoning. If you are accused of stealing, your right hand is cut off and the wound burnt in boiling oil. Christians have been killed for refusing to recite the Quran or wearing a veil.
30 November 2012 marks the deadline for a strategy of invading foreign troops who will combat the Tuareg rebels. People are fleeing for fear of war. The Tuareg tribe (named “Rejected of God” by the Arabs, for originally refusing to accept Islam) has a distinct light coloured skin. Peaceful Tuareg tribesman are mistaken for rebels and killed. They all flee to Niger, as Bamako (Capital in South Mali) holds no safety for them. The UN have set up a refugee camp close to the Mali border on the way to Gao.
The refugee council say that over a 100 000 refugees are harboured in Niger, of which 10 000 are in the capital city of Niamey.
Since 2 October 2012 the number of refugees in Niamey has doubled. There are 945 (exponentially increasing) families taking shelter in Niamey. They line up in front of the Mali Embassy in search of help. Under the covering of a local NGO - Act against Misery in Niger - we can distribute food to these starving refugees.
You can get involved in two ways:
1. Prayer. This is a battle that needs to be fought in the Spirit - a battle for people’s lives and for territory and great influence. Follow the news and our updates and pray actively.
2. Give. R220 will buy 25 kg of rice, which will feed an average family for 2 weeks. We are distribution food on Tuesday 30 October.
Account Name: GCEX Project
Account Number: 9206963077
Bank: ABSA
Branch Details: 31 Da Gamma Road, Jeffreys Bay, 6330, South Africa
Branch Code: 334515
SWIFT Code: ABSAZAJJ (For International Payments)
Reference: URN 2012