U.S. may sanction, expand military role in Nigeria to pressure FG on religious freedom

 

Maureen Aguta

 

The measures under review include actions by the State and Treasury Departments as well as possible “Department of War engagement on counterterrorism,” he said, referring to the Pentagon by the new name adopted by President Donald Trump.

 

The United States is considering sanctions and potential Pentagon involvement in counterterrorism operations as part of a broader effort to pressure Nigeria to strengthen protections for Christian communities, a senior State Department official told lawmakers on Thursday.

 

Jonathan Pratt, who leads the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the Trump administration is “developing a plan to incentivize and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and improve religious freedom.”

 

The measures under review include actions by the State and Treasury Departments as well as possible “Department of War engagement on counterterrorism,” he said, referring to the Pentagon by the new name adopted by President Donald Trump.

 

Pratt said Washington is closely scrutinizing the security assistance it provides to Nigeria, how it is used, its effectiveness, and the intelligence-sharing arrangements in place.

 

In a statement posted on his X shortly after testifying at @HouseForeignGOP hearing on “President Trump’s Redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern—CPC‘”, Pratt stated, “The President’s decision underscores the Administration’s commitment to promoting religious freedom as a universal right and a fundamental freedom. The levels of violence and atrocities committed against Christians and communities of all faiths in Nigeria are appalling and threaten this universal right.

 

“We remain open to working together with the Nigerians, but we also expect the Nigerian government to deliver results on the ground as proof of their commitment to this universal right.”

 

Nigeria has faced heightened scrutiny from Trump, who warned in early November that the United States could take military action if Abuja fails to curb attacks on Christians.

 

He also announced that all U.S. aid to Nigeria would be halted. Nigerian officials deny systemic persecution, arguing that the country’s overlapping security challenges, including ethnic tensions, resource conflicts and Islamist extremism, are often mischaracterized.

 

In October, the U.S. returned Nigeria to its list of “Countries of Particular Concern” for religious-freedom violations.

 

Jacob McGee, deputy assistant secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, said the designation had “captured the attention” of Nigerian authorities but stressed that “a lot more needs to be done.”

 

Nigeria, home to more than 200 ethnic groups and a mix of Christian, Muslim and traditional religions, has long experienced both peaceful coexistence and periodic sectarian or communal conflict. The Islamist group Boko Haram has waged a 15-year insurgency in the northeast, killing tens of thousands, most of them Muslims, according to human rights groups.

 

A high-level Nigerian delegation, including the national security adviser, the defence chief, the chief of defence intelligence and the police chief, is in Washington this week for meetings with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Pentagon officials.

 

Pratt told lawmakers he does not believe Nigeria’s government has been infiltrated by jihadists. McGee said U.S. officials plan increased engagement on the ground to deliver what he called a clear message: “They have to do better.”