I have some experience of West Africa, (though fairly limited I admit, because as a white person a great deal about the cultural norms pertaining there would have been hidden from me). West Africans of all religions (including Muslims) still in their hearts believe in 'sorcery'. This means that any misfortune, illness, accident etc 'must' be the result of sorcery springing from jealousy or malevolence. The Christian organisations there range from White Protestantism to indigenous interpretations of 'Christianity' which in Nigeria, for example, involve 'exorcists' who charge large sums of money to torture and bully 'witches' (or 'sorcerers') into submission, to the eternal gratitude of their families who are intensely afraid of evil and who also suffer the persecution of their neighbours and villagers for harbouring such dangerous forces. Being shunned by ones community is almost a death-sentence in these primitive groups. The victims of these appalling acts are often children, sometimes very young. Families in Africa are complex, and half-siblings from different wives the norm. This causes jealousy and spite, erupting in accusations. Being an 'exorcist' is big business and brings wealth. It's unimaginable for us that anyone could behave with such barbarity, savagery, ignorance and cruelty. I've learned that even the most (to use my husband's word) 'developed' Africans have beliefs about sorcery and fear it. He certainly does, despite my efforts to change his view. But most would not descend to this level of wickedness. It is indeed murder, and should be punished as such. But education I feel is the only long-term answer. ("It's not easy to take Africa out of an African" as they say.)