“Some churches have been attacked by Rapid Support Forces, including the Coptic cathedral of Khartoum, which was occupied and turned into a command centre. The Coptic cathedral of Omdurman was also attacked and looted. Assailants took several cars and threatened the bishop and one of the priests, trying to convert them to Islam."

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we don’t want to waste it. It’s not every day that you get to participate in an event as important as WYD, and at ACN, we consider it a big responsibility.”

Ethnic groups share the same language, the same religion, and have similar customs. However, Burundi has a very painful history, littered with massacres, killings, social conflicts, and violence.

More than 1,000 young people are expected to attend the gathering on Mount Lebanon, which will take place as Pope Francis meets the young people in Lisbon and is designed to mirror the traditional set-up of the WYD, with a Via Crucis, an adoration, catechesis sessions, and workshops, as well as a large final Mass.

"The inaction and silence about our plight by both government and powerful stakeholders all over the world prompts me too often conclude that there is a conspiracy of silence and a strong desire to just watch the Islamists get away with genocide in Benue State."

“Therefore, I believe that the massive demolition of Christian churches in Manipur was supported by the state and central authorities,” the politician said.