Thirty-one members of the United States Congress have commended President Donald Trump for reinstating Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to ongoing religious freedom concerns. The lawmakers, led by Rep. Robert Aderholt, praised Trump’s move as a significant step in addressing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the lawmakers expressed concern over the killing of thousands of Christians by extremist groups in Nigeria each year. They urged the US to take a leading role in stopping the violence and called for stronger sanctions against those responsible for religious violence. Rep. Tom Emmer and Rep. Lisa McClain also commended Trump’s decision, describing the killings as a crime against humanity.
The move has been seen as a reversal of the Biden administration’s decision to remove Nigeria from the CPC list in 2020. Rep. Chris Smith, chair of the House Subcommittee on Africa, welcomed the decision, stating that it corrected a previous wrong. Trump announced the decision on his social media platform, citing the existential threat faced by Christianity in Nigeria and vowing to take action against radical Islamist groups.
However, the Nigerian government has disputed the US claims, stating that the country’s conflicts are not based on religion. Information Minister Mohammed Idris attributed Nigeria’s security challenges to banditry, insurgency, and economic hardship. President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom, emphasizing that the country remains a democracy that guarantees liberty and equality for all faiths.
The development highlights the ongoing concerns over religious freedom in Nigeria and the differing perspectives on the issue. The US designation is likely to have significant implications for Nigeria’s relations with the international community and may lead to increased pressure on the government to address the root causes of the violence. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Nigerian government will respond to the US concerns and what measures will be taken to address the ongoing persecution of Christians in the country.