Paul Tilsley

Paul Tilsley is a veteran correspondent who has reported from four continents for more than three decades. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, he can be followed on X @paultilsley.

Nigeria named epicenter of global killings of Christians over faith in 2025, report says

World Religions Christianity 16 hours ago

Nigeria named epicenter of global killings of Christians over faith in 2025, report says

Christians killed in Nigeria reaches alarming levels as Open Doors reports 3,490 of 4,849 Christians murdered worldwide for their faith occurred in Nigeria.

Christians targeted in systematic kidnapping campaign in Nigeria by jihadi herdsmen, experts say

World Religions Christianity January 8

Christians targeted in systematic kidnapping campaign in Nigeria by jihadi herdsmen, experts say

One Nigerian church paid $205,000 ransom for 50 kidnapped members as Fulani militants allegedly wage economic jihad against Christians in Middle Belt.

Africa’s Christian Crisis: How 2025’s deadly attacks finally drew global attention after Trump’s intervention

World Religions Christianity December 28

Africa’s Christian Crisis: How 2025’s deadly attacks finally drew global attention after Trump’s intervention

Christian communities in Africa reportedly under siege as Islamist groups target churches and believers across multiple countries during Christmas 2025.

‘Depart immediately’: State Department warns Americans as al Qaeda threatens to overrun African nation

Terrorism December 9

‘Depart immediately’: State Department warns Americans as al Qaeda threatens to overrun African nation

Islamist JNIM fighters have surrounded Mali's capital Bamako, blocking fuel supplies as the West African nation faces potential jihadist takeover within weeks.

Somalis live in constant fear, danger as disturbing reality hovers over their daily lives

Africa December 4

Somalis live in constant fear, danger as disturbing reality hovers over their daily lives

Al-Shabab generates over $150 million annually through extortion and taxation in Somalia, where both Islamic State and al Qaeda operate, according to the State Department.

US dramatically escalates Somalia airstrikes as Trump admin targets ISIS, al Qaeda terrorists

Africa November 28

US dramatically escalates Somalia airstrikes as Trump admin targets ISIS, al Qaeda terrorists

U.S. airstrikes in Somalia more than double under Trump, targeting ISIS and al-Shabab terrorists in coordinated operations with Somali government.

Trump admin slams South Africa for ‘weaponized’ G-20 presidency as summit ignores Christian persecution

Donald Trump November 23

Trump admin slams South Africa for ‘weaponized’ G-20 presidency as summit ignores Christian persecution

Diplomatic row erupts as South Africa refuses U.S. embassy delegation at G-20 handover ceremony, prompting sharp rebuke from Trump administration officials.

White House shuts down reports US backtracked on Trump’s G20 boycott

Donald Trump November 20

White House shuts down reports US backtracked on Trump’s G20 boycott

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa claims the U.S. requested G20 attendance, but the White House maintains it will boycott the November conference.

Armed attackers in Nigeria kidnap 25 girls from boarding school

Africa November 18

Armed attackers in Nigeria kidnap 25 girls from boarding school

Nigeria faces another mass kidnapping as 25 girls abducted from Kebbi State school, adding to surge of student abductions in recent years.

Niger fallout under Biden leaves US troops ‘blind’ in battle with terror groups

Africa November 16

Niger fallout under Biden leaves US troops ‘blind’ in battle with terror groups

Critics says U.S. forces "completely blind" in Niger after losing surveillance bases, hampering rescue efforts for kidnapped American citizen in terror-ridden Sahel region.

Trump’s warning to Nigeria offers hope to nation's persecuted Christians

Donald Trump November 8

Trump’s warning to Nigeria offers hope to nation's persecuted Christians

Many Nigerians welcome Trump’s threat of action over Christian killings, hoping it will pressure their government to protect churches after years of deadly attacks.

Trump admin ramps up Sudan peace effort as civil war leaves tens of thousands dead

Africa November 5

Trump admin ramps up Sudan peace effort as civil war leaves tens of thousands dead

Trump administration accelerates Sudan peace efforts as 30-month civil war leaves tens of thousands dead. U.S. forms international coalition to broker ceasefire between warring factions.

Trump administration works to break China’s rare earth mineral stranglehold on Africa

Africa October 25

Trump administration works to break China’s rare earth mineral stranglehold on Africa

Trump administration works to counter China's rare earth mineral dominance through new African partnerships, targeting countries like Tanzania and Angola.

American missionary kidnapped in Niger by suspected Islamist militants, sources say

State Department October 22

American missionary kidnapped in Niger by suspected Islamist militants, sources say

Suspected Islamist militants have kidnapped an American missionary in the West African nation of Niger, U.S. official sources told Fox News.

Russian mercenaries replace Western forces as ISIS surges across Africa's Sahel region

ISIS News & Updates October 19

Russian mercenaries replace Western forces as ISIS surges across Africa's Sahel region

Analysts say Russian mercenaries focus on mineral extraction rather than security in Sahel countries after U.S. and French military withdrawal from the region.

Cruz clashes with Nigeria over his claims 50,000 Christians killed since 2009 in religious violence

Africa October 7

Cruz clashes with Nigeria over his claims 50,000 Christians killed since 2009 in religious violence

Ted Cruz threatens to hold Nigerian officials accountable for alleged mass killings of Christians, while Nigerian government officials deny the claims.

‘God have mercy on us’: Sudan’s Christians struggle to survive under siege

World Religions Christianity September 14

‘God have mercy on us’: Sudan’s Christians struggle to survive under siege

Sudan's 2 million Christians face severe persecution and food shortages during the civil war, with some forced to eat animal feed and grass to survive.

Jihadists massacre 89 Christians in African nation, many slain at funeral service

World Religions Christianity September 12

Jihadists massacre 89 Christians in African nation, many slain at funeral service

Jihadists slaughtered 89 Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 70 killed during a funeral service and others in nearby villages.

'No means of escape': Sudanese rebels create kill zones around besieged city

Africa September 9

'No means of escape': Sudanese rebels create kill zones around besieged city

Sudan's civil war has displaced 13-15 million people as the Rapid Support Forces siege El Fasher for 500 days, trapping hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Is Trump considering bold Africa play to push back on China, Russia and Islamic terrorists?

Africa August 28

Is Trump considering bold Africa play to push back on China, Russia and Islamic terrorists?

Ted Cruz has called on President Donald Trump to recognize Somaliland in exchange for a new strategic air and sea base, and access to rare earth minerals.

South Korea's move to lower tensions with Kim Jong Un threatens 400,000 Christians

North Korea August 17

South Korea's move to lower tensions with Kim Jong Un threatens 400,000 Christians

A move to lower tensions with Kim Jong Un's hermit kingdom has led to vital radio broadcasts of Christian material being cut off from the people who need it most.

White House responds to surge in Christian persecution crisis across sub-Saharan Africa

World Religions Christianity August 10

White House responds to surge in Christian persecution crisis across sub-Saharan Africa

The White House and State Department work to address Islamic State-allied attacks on Christians in sub-Saharan Africa following massacres in Nigeria and DRC.

Islamist terrorists kill 49 Christians in African church massacre; eyewitness reveals horrific details

World Religions Christianity July 31

Islamist terrorists kill 49 Christians in African church massacre; eyewitness reveals horrific details

Eyewitness testimony reveals horrific details of deadly church attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sunday, when 49 Christians, including nine children, were savagely murdered by jihadis.

Pope Leo XIV condemns brutal machete attack that killed 49 Christians during prayer in DR Congo

World Religions Christianity July 29

Pope Leo XIV condemns brutal machete attack that killed 49 Christians during prayer in DR Congo

Pope Leo and the U.N. condemned the attack by Islamic State-linked extremists that killed 49 Christians in a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a predominantly Christian country.

Iran's Africa activities pose 'significant threats to US national security'

Africa July 27

Iran's Africa activities pose 'significant threats to US national security'

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch joins State Department in warning about Iran's expanding influence in Africa through uranium acquisition, weapons sales and religious indoctrination.

‘Peacemaker’ Trump can end Africa’s biggest war, former White House advisor says

Africa July 12

‘Peacemaker’ Trump can end Africa’s biggest war, former White House advisor says

President Trump is positioned to end Sudan's civil war after brokering peace between Congo and Rwanda, according to an expert on Africa, who says U.S. involvement essential.

Pope, State Department condemn latest massacre of Christians by Islamist militants in Nigeria

Pope Leo XIV July 1

Pope, State Department condemn latest massacre of Christians by Islamist militants in Nigeria

Pope LEO XIV has joined with the State Department to condemn the killing of yet more Christians by Islamist militants in Nigeria. More than 200 were reportedly killed in Benue State in what the pope called a “massacre."

Trump's approach to Africa lauded by top Republican as recent airstrikes show 'outside the box' thinking

Senate on Foreign Policy June 18

Trump's approach to Africa lauded by top Republican as recent airstrikes show 'outside the box' thinking

Senator Jim Risch discusses U.S. security challenges in Africa, including terrorism in Somalia, the war in Sudan, and the growing influence of China, Russia, and Iran.

Bishop's village attacked, 20 slain after recent testimony to Congress on Christian persecution

Africa June 10

Bishop's village attacked, 20 slain after recent testimony to Congress on Christian persecution

Nigerian bishop faces threats and village attacks after testifying to Congress about Christian persecution, with four fatal attacks in 10 days by jihadist militants in his diocese.

Bold move to keep Americans safe from ‘terrorists’ is basis for US travel ban for some African nations

Africa June 8

Bold move to keep Americans safe from ‘terrorists’ is basis for US travel ban for some African nations

President Trump enacted travel restrictions for 10 African countries, citing national security concerns, terrorism threats and high visa overstay rates.