Trump designates Nigeria ‘Nation of Specific Concern’ over reported killings of Christians
U.S. President Donald Trump has formally designated Nigeria as a “Nation of Specific Concern,” citing reviews of widespread assaults on Christian communities that, he says, quantity to a mass slaughter.
The designation indicators heightened U.S. consideration and motion relating to spiritual freedom violations within the nation.
Trump’s place was shared in a social media publish on the official X account of the White Home on Friday, the place he described Christianity in Nigeria as going through an “existential threat.”
He stated hundreds of Christians had been killed in assaults attributed to radical Islamist {groups}.
The President instructed Congressman Riley Moore, alongside Chairman Tom Cole and the Home Appropriations Committee, to research the killings and report again to him.
“Christianity is going through an existential threat in Nigeria. 1000’s of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are liable for this mass slaughter. I’m hereby making Nigeria a “COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN” — However that’s the least of it,” Trump’s publish learn partly.
It added, “I’m asking Congressman Riley Moore, along with Chairman Tom Cole and the Home Appropriations Committee, to instantly look into this matter, and report again to me. The US can’t stand by whereas such atrocities are taking place in Nigeria, and quite a few different Nations.”
The U.S. President emphasised that the killings, reported to account for 3,100 of the 4,476 Christian deaths recorded worldwide, required a right away U.S. response. Trump stated that past declarations, the U.S. authorities should take tangible steps to forestall additional assaults and help persecuted spiritual {groups}.
Trump’s assertion comes amid reviews of violent clashes throughout a number of components of Nigeria, with some rural Christian communities within the Center Belt and northern areas reportedly focused by Islamist extremists and armed militias.
Senator Marco Rubio, a U.S. lawmaker, described the scenario as “tragic and unacceptable,” including that the US “stands prepared, prepared, and capable of act.”
The laws additionally continues funding for packages supporting communities in Nigeria affected by extremist violence. The Committee stated that Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a Nation of Specific Concern underscores the urgency of addressing this human rights disaster and indicators bipartisan help for defending spiritual freedom worldwide.