The U.S. House of Representatives urges President Trump to impose sanctions on Nigeria due to severe persecution of Christians. The call comes amid rising violence from Islamist extremists, prompting criticism of the Biden administration’s decision to reverse Nigeria’s CPC status. Key testimonies during a congressional hearing highlighted systemic violence against Christians and the failure of the Nigerian government to provide safety.
The U.S. House of Representatives has urged President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Nigeria due to the ongoing killings of Christians. This call came during a hearing focusing on religious persecution in Nigeria, where significant violence perpetrated by Islamist extremists has led to substantial casualties and displacements. Lawmakers condemned the Biden administration for overturning Nigeria’s status as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) without sufficient reasoning.
Representative Chris Smith remarked on the reversal of Nigeria’s CPC designation, which had been originally established by President Trump in December 2020 but was rescinded by Secretary Blinken in November 2021, igniting outrage among religious leaders in Nigeria. Smith criticized the Nigerian government’s failure to protect its Christian populace, referencing constitutional protections for religious freedom that are not being honored.
The violence has been catastrophic, as highlighted by Smith, who noted reports from Genocide Watch describing Nigeria as “a killing field of defenseless Christians.” Since 2009, over 52,000 Christians have been targeted and killed by extremists, alongside approximately 34,000 moderate non-Fulani Muslims. Additionally, five million individuals, primarily Christians, have been displaced into camps and settlements.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee previously passed a resolution urging the Biden administration to reclassify Nigeria as a CPC, although it has not been presented to the House. Smith recently reintroduced this resolution as H. Res. 220. He expressed confidence that Trump would reinstate Nigeria’s CPC status and support the persecuted church and its leaders.
The hearing titled “Conflict and Persecution in Nigeria: The Case for a CPC Designation” featured testimonies from various religious and policy leaders. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe spoke about a systemic strategy aimed at erasing the Christian identity among the population, citing incidents of abductions, killings, and land seizures without government intervention.
Nina Shea, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, emphasized Nigeria’s alarming position as the deadliest country globally for Christians. She pointed out that nomadic Fulani Muslim herders pose a significant threat, particularly to Christian communities in farming areas. Additionally, Tony Perkins criticized Western media for underreporting the violence in Nigeria, warning that Christians remain prime targets of ongoing attacks.
The collective pressure from lawmakers and advocacy organizations raises anticipation regarding Trump’s actions and whether he will reinstate Nigeria’s CPC designation and impose sanctions to mitigate the persecution of Christians.
The U.S. House of Representatives calls for urgent action against Nigeria’s ongoing violence against Christians. The demand for sanctions signifies increasing concern over religious persecution and governmental failures. Testimonies presented during the hearing highlighted systemic violence and the dire humanitarian situation for Christians. With lawmakers pushing for sanctions, the focus now shifts to President Trump’s potential response to restore Nigeria’s CPC status and provide necessary assistance.
Original Source: saharareporters.com
