Muslim mobs in the African nation of Niger have targeted Christians over the weekend, burning churches and schools. The atrocities are a response to the controversial cartoons of the Muslim prophet Muhammad in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
It is estimated that 45 Christian churches have been burned in Niger since Saturday. Muslims in the country took to the streets to protest against the offending cartoons but the crowds soon turned their anger on the Christian community as well as French-owned businesses and cultural institutions.
Ten people have been reported dead so far and there is concern that anti-Christian violence could spread to other African countries where protests against Charlie Hebdo have been taking place. Niger underwent a military coup in 2010. An estimated 94% of the population is Muslim.