WASHINGTON, USA – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee, on Monday released the following statement in response to president Trump’s threat to cut off all assistance to Nigeria and prepare for possible US military intervention:
“The Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern ignores the complex reality of violence there. Clashes between farmers, many but not all of whom are Christian, and herders are driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion alone. Terrorist groups have killed both Christians and Muslims, and devastated communities—especially in the predominantly Muslim north, which is increasingly plagued by violent criminal gangs often referred to as bandits. All Nigerians deserve protection, and we know president Tinubu recognises the importance of interfaith harmony and is working to address this challenge.
“It is incredibly irresponsible of president Trump to threaten military action. Providing security support is one thing; threatening military intervention to ‘defend Christians’ is a reckless response to distorted facts which risks embroiling the United States in another war. And Trump’s aid cuts have blocked much-needed emergency nutrition and livelihoods training—the very types of programs essential to stopping the spread of insurgency.”