Archbishop Lompo prays for a New Year of peace and security in Niger.

Françoise Niamien - Vatican City.

With just a few days to go before the end of 2023, the Archbishop of Niamey in Niger has praised the country’s faithful for their resilience despite serious difficulties that the country faced in the year 2023. These include social and political challenges in a country plagued by terrorism and is weighed down by sanctions of the West African regional economic bloc ECOWAS. The sanctions have been in place since the coup d'état of July 2023.

Witnessing Christ as a minority faith group

Looking back on 2023, Archbishop Lompo said the Church’s pastoral year launched last October was progressing well and is in tune with the Synod on Synodality.

“As the Church-Family of God in Niamey, we want to walk together, to transform our living environment, inspired by the values of the Gospel. And this walk together benefits us for this transformation,” declared the Archbishop. He added, “This will make us a living witness to the love of Christ in our Muslim-majority country.”

The transformation, he said, requires the formation and commitment of lay people alongside priests and religious.

The country’ social and political situation

Turning to the social and political situation in Niger during the year 2023, Archbishop Lompo recalled the coup d'état that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on 26 July 2023. It was the fifth coup since the country’s independence in 1960.

In response to this coup d'état, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries imposed heavy economic and financial sanctions at the beginning of August, demanding the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.

According to Bishop Lompo, while the economic and social situation is difficult for citizens, what they are experiencing “is an opportunity to trust in God’s unfailing providence and a call to stay true and faithful to God’s commandments.” He continued, “It is also through our commitment and trust in Christ that we will be able to meet all the challenges that will lead us to victory over terrorists that continue to plunge our country into mourning,” said the Archbishop of Niamey.

The infant Jesus will lead us to peace

“Through the nativity of the infant Jesus at Christmas, our communities will always remain living communities, faithful to God in the hope of a better world, despite widespread insecurity” in the nation. “Fidelity to God in all our commitments will lead us to the paths of victory,” the Archbishop reiterated.

In addition the Archbishop made a passionate plea for peace and unity between Christians and Muslims in the country. He said the two faiths must continue to live and work side by side in harmony. “This unity in fidelity” can bring “victory for our country, Niger,” said the prelate of Niamey.