Trump threatened over the weekend to mobilize American troops against Islamist terrorists killing Christians, blaming Nigeria’s leaders for failing to tackle the problem and labeling it a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) because of religious violence.
The designation compels the president to consult with the designated government, draft up a foreign policy action plan, and consult with Congress about implementation – within 90 days.
Trump also threatened to cut off aid and assistance to Nigeria barring meaningful action.
The CPC designation was a victory for advocates who have mounted an intense lobbying campaign for U.S. action to defend Christians in Nigeria.
“It was unexpected, it was even a toss-up til the end,” said Nina Shea, senior fellow and director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute, who met with administration officials late last month.
“There was no decision at the beginning of the week. By the end of the week, there was a decision, it was not really anticipated that he would designate it or when he would designate it, although he had to, under law, by the end of the year.”
Shea helped lead a group of over 30 advocates, Christian organizations and conservative think tanks in sending a letter to the administration on Oct. 15, calling for Nigeria to be designated a CPC. This was in addition to celebrity advocacy from comedian Bill Maher and Grammy-nominated musician Nicki Minaj.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has been among the loudest voices in Congress lobbying on behalf of Nigeria’s Christians, introducing a bill in September that would sanction Nigerian officials deemed complicit in the violence.
Trump’s threat of military action is an escalation beyond what some advocates were pushing for but comes as he has suggested armed interventions in South America targeting drug cartels.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Nov. 1.
Read the full report at thehill.com.
