Thirty-one members of the United States Congress have praised President Donald Trump for reinstating Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) because of ongoing religious‑freedom violations. Led by Rep. Robert Aderholt, the lawmakers called the move a significant step toward addressing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. In a joint statement released Thursday, they expressed alarm over the killing of thousands of Christians each year by extremist groups and urged the United States to take a leading role in stopping the violence, calling for stronger sanctions against those responsible for religious attacks.
Rep. Tom Emmer and Rep. Lisa McClain also commended Trump’s decision, describing the killings as a crime against humanity. The reinstatement reverses the Biden administration’s 2020 decision to remove Nigeria from the CPC list. Rep. Chris Smith, chair of the House Subcommittee on Africa, welcomed the change, saying it corrected a previous error.
Trump announced the decision on his social‑media platform, citing an existential threat to Christianity in Nigeria and pledging action against radical Islamist groups. The Nigerian government, however, disputes the U.S. characterization of the conflict as religious. Information Minister Mohammed Idris attributed Nigeria’s security challenges to banditry, insurgency and economic hardship, while President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed the country’s commitment to religious freedom, emphasizing that Nigeria remains a democracy that guarantees liberty and equality for all faiths.
The development underscores persistent concerns about religious freedom in Nigeria and the differing perspectives on the issue. The U.S. designation is likely to have significant implications for Nigeria’s relations with the international community and may increase pressure on the government to address the root causes of the violence. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Nigeria will respond to U.S. concerns and what measures will be taken to curb the ongoing persecution of Christians.
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