Trump threatens to use force and stop providing help to Nigeria due to allegations of Christian persecution
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On Saturday, US President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon, sometimes known as the "Department of War," to
make backup plans in case Nigeria is attacked militarily. According to Trump, the Nigerian government has not done enough to defend Christian communities against attacks by violent extremists. Trump said on social media: "The United States of America will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, 'guns-a-blazing,' if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians." Any US strike, he promised, would be "fast, vicious, and sweet."The remarks come after Trump declared Nigeria a "country of particular concern" (CPC) on Friday for violating religious freedom, citing what he called a "existential threat" to Christianity. Due to the fact that "[r]eligious persecution and violence against Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria is endemic," US Senator Ted Cruz has also urged Congress to adopt the label.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president of Nigeria, denied the allegations on Saturday, claiming they were inaccurate in depicting the nation's religious landscape and constitutional safeguards.
Tinubu declared, "Tolerance and religious freedom have been and will always be fundamental components of our shared identity." "Nigeria does not support or condone religious persecution."
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president of Nigeria, denied the allegations on Saturday, claiming they were inaccurate in depicting the nation's religious landscape and constitutional safeguards.
Tinubu declared, "Tolerance and religious freedom have been and will always be fundamental components of our shared identity." "Nigeria does not support or condone religious persecution."
Trump's statement immediately calls into doubt the legitimacy of unilateral US military action and is a significant shift from US diplomatic strategy in West Africa.
Presidents can order limited military operations under Article II of the US Constitution, but the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which requires congressional notification and restricts unauthorized deployments, usually requires congressional authorization for large-scale offensive action. A statutory foundation for war powers is not humanitarian intervention on its own. A full-scale strike would probably go beyond executive power unless there was a national security rationale or congressional approval.
Presidents can order limited military operations under Article II of the US Constitution, but the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which requires congressional notification and restricts unauthorized deployments, usually requires congressional authorization for large-scale offensive action. A statutory foundation for war powers is not humanitarian intervention on its own. A full-scale strike would probably go beyond executive power unless there was a national security rationale or congressional approval.
Such activity is further restricted under international law. The UN Charter forbids threatening or using force against sovereign states unless authorized by the Security Council or justified by self-defense. Nigeria has not agreed to involvement and has not launched an attack against the United States. Therefore, a unilateral "guns-a-blazing" operation would encounter significant legal challenges as well as diplomatic resistance.
The threat to stop help, on the other hand, has stronger legal support. Under the Foreign Assistance Act, the executive branch has broad jurisdiction to halt or restrict foreign aid due to human rights issues, including breaches of religious freedom. However, considering Nigeria's position as Africa's most populous democracy and a regional counterterrorism partner, doing so would represent a substantial policy change.
The threat to stop help, on the other hand, has stronger legal support. Under the Foreign Assistance Act, the executive branch has broad jurisdiction to halt or restrict foreign aid due to human rights issues, including breaches of religious freedom. However, considering Nigeria's position as Africa's most populous democracy and a regional counterterrorism partner, doing so would represent a substantial policy change.
Nigeria was initially added to the CPC list in 2020 due to "systematic... violations of religious freedom," according to the US State Department. Attacks on Christians were not specifically included in the designation. Later, in 2023, the designation was revoked by the administration of former President Joe Biden.
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