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Olugbemi. Adeyinka Ogunleye
2 days ago
Overview
US And Nigeria To Form Task Force On Christian Persecution Allegations
Summary
US developing a plan for Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities
Nigerian delegation to meet US officials in Washington
Trump added Nigeria to list of countries US says have violated religious freedom
The United States is considering actions such as sanctions and Pentagon engagement on counterterrorism as part of a plan to compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and religious freedom, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Thursday.
Nigeria is under scrutiny from U.S. President Donald Trump, who in early November threatened military action over the treatment of Christians in the country. Nigeria says claims that Christians face persecution misrepresent a complex security situation and do not take into account efforts to safeguard religious freedom.
"The Trump administration is developing a plan to incentivize and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and improve religious freedom," Jonathan Pratt, the senior official leading the State Department's Bureau of African Affairs, told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday.
"This plan will consider U.S. State and Treasury engagement on sanctions, as well as possible Department of War engagement on counterterrorism, and other efforts to protect religious communities."
He added that Washington was primarily looking at security provided to the Nigerian government and how it is deploying assets, as well as the sharing of information and intelligence.
