The White House has confirmed that it is working alongside the State Department to find ways to stop a wave of terrorist attacks against Christians by jihadist groups in Africa.

The move comes just weeks after 49 Catholic worshippers were massacred with machetes at a church in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Authorities revealed that the perpetrators were Islamist jihadists from the Allied Democratic Forces, also known as Islamic State DRC.

OPEN DOORS | PICTURED: Villagers bury their dead on July 28 after the 'heinous' Islamist killings

In the aftermath of the brutal killings, the White House said: "The Trump administration condemns in the strongest terms this horrific violence against Christians."

The Trump administration appeared to indicate this week that they may intervene amid the violence.

A State Department spokesman said: "The Department of State is working closely with the White House to identify opportunities to further the cause of religious freedom around the world.

"Religious freedom for all people worldwide is a moral and national security imperative and a US foreign policy priority.

"As President Trump has stated, the United States will vigorously promote this freedom."

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The Trump administration appeared to indicate this week that they may intervene

The UK division of Open Doors, a worldwide Christian charity that supports and aids Christians facing faith-based persecution, said: "The crisis facing large areas of sub-Saharan Africa is hard to overstate.

"It is potentially existential for the future peace and stability of several nations in the region, not least Nigeria."

"Around 150,000 people have been killed in Jihadist violence over the last ten years and over 16 million Christians have been driven from their homes and their land across the region."

According to the charity's research, Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian, with more Christians being slaughtered for their beliefs than the rest of the world put together.

Nigerian bishop Wilfred Anagbe spoke out against the killings to a Congressional Committee earlier this year.

Since then, he has faced repeated threats - while 20 of his congregation have been slaughtered.

He said: "The attackers form part of the larger Islamic-Jihadists family headed in Nigeria by the likes of Boko Haram, Isis West Africa and similar groups.

"Nigeria has had a long history with Islamic fundamentalism, but the violence, killing and displacements without consequences suggests a new pattern where the Islamists have resorted to use their control of official government and apparatus to continue this jihad.

"There is a strong tendency by fundamentalist Muslims in Nigeria to turn the whole or part of Nigeria into an Islamic State."

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It has been reported that jihadist insurgents in the region often attempt to steal land from the Christians that they violently target.

Lawyer Jabez Musa fights in courts across Nigeria to protect Christians from this form of land theft.

Musa told Fox News: "Only Christians are targeted, they're killed, displaced, and their lands are taken over.

"I urge the American Government, especially President Trump personally... to come to the help of Christians."