11/29/2023 Mali (International Christian Concern) — More than a year after his kidnapping, Rev. Hans-Joachim Lohre was released on Monday, Nov. 27, following negotiations conducted by the German government.  

On November 20, 2022, in Bamako, Mali, Reverend Hans-Joachim Lohre was kidnapped by members of al-Qaida, an Islamic extremist group. At the time of his kidnapping, Lohre had been in Mali for more than 30 years, teaching at the Institute of Islamic-Christian Training. He was preparing to celebrate mass when he was kidnapped.  

A local hero in Mali, Lohre had worked tirelessly to improve interreligious dialogue through his teaching and interactions with the local community. Catholic pontifical organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) recalled that for a long time, “Lohre has been the foundation’s contact person in the West African nation and has taken part in several events hosted by the pontifical charity foundation.”  

Lohre’s kidnapping “was the first time that militants had seized a foreigner in the African country’s capital since their insurgency began more than a decade ago,” according to AP News. Most of the violence conducted by al-Qaida is between the militants and other Africans. In July, al-Qaida created a blockade in Timbuktu and shot rockets throughout the city, killing more than 100 people.  

Christians have had an extremely difficult time living in Mali due to the violence perpetuated by numerous sources. Making up less than 5 percent of the country’s total population, the daily lives of Christians in Mali are hard to imagine. The testimony of Lohre becomes all the more awe-inspiring as it is difficult to comprehend the strength and faith the Lord provided him with through all he has endured.  

Now residing safely in Germany, Lohre is recovering from his harrowing year imprisoned.  

We praise God that He demonstrated His faithfulness to Lohre through his release from prison. We praise God that He has used Lohre to demonstrate His power to the remaining Christians in Mali and those who struggle daily to maintain their faith in a life filled with persecution. We pray that Lohre’s testimony would be spread throughout Mali and the rest of West Africa and that it would embolden many others to stay strong in their faith in God. 

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