Homes and livelihoods are being wiped out at the hands of Islamic extremists operating in the region, a "faultline" between the largely Muslim north of the continent and the more Christian south, says Open Doors.

The charity, which supports persecuted Christians, said that poverty, unemployment, corruption and a "lack of governance" are creating a "toxic mix" that is combining with rising Islamic extremism to cause havoc for Christians.

Close to 30 violent Islamist groups are active in the area, with some of the extremists having links to international terrorist networks like the so-called Islamic State and al-Qaeda. ...