United States lawmakers are pushing to ensure the Nigerian government routs terrorists wrecking havoc in various parts of the country.
This is according to the transcripts of a round table held on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C posted on the Congress Website.
The hearing was convened by the Congressional Committee on Appropriations.
Rep. Brian Mast, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee told the meeting that the Nigerian government must disarm militias, ensure displaced families return home and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“This is not merely ‘inter-communal violence’ or a ‘resource conflict,’ as many claim. This is a targeted campaign of religious cleansing. Whether it is Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, or radicalized nomadic Fulani militants, the objective is to drive Christians out of their ancestral lands in the Middle Belt.”
He said he supported President Trump’s in his decision to re-designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, a view echoed by the Chair of the Sub Committee on African Affairs, Chris Smith.
“The Nigerian government has a fundamental, constitutional obligation to protect its citizens; however, the perpetrators of this persecution operate with complete impunity.
The United States is committed to standing firmly with the persecuted, no matter where in the world.”
A member of the U.S Council of Foreign Relations , Dr Ebenezer Obadare also addressed the hearing and laid out
a two-fold strategy to combat the terror groups, including the need to pressure the Nigerian government with incentives.
“Washington must keep up the pressure. The policy goal should be two-fold: first, work with the Nigerian military to neutralize Boko Haram”, he said.
Obadare, who is a Nigerian international scholar and former journalist added:
“Second, the United States should put pressure on President Tinubu to (1) make Sharia law unconstitutional in the twelve northern states where they have been adopted since 2000 and (2) disband the various Hisbah groups across northern states seekin to enforce and impose Islamic law on all.”
For the Chair of the Commission on International Religious Freedom, Vicky Hartzler, the U.S. government needs to work directly with the government of Nigerian authorities to vastly improve accountability.
“Resources could also be invested in using early warning systems to reduce community violence, and the U.S. government should insist Nigerian government officials respond when there is an early warning”.
All of these comes at a time the Trump administration says it acknowledges the steps the Nigerian government is making in combating terrorism following the CPC designation.
Last week, Nigeria announced the formation of its membership of a Joint Working Group with the United States on tacking the terrorism.
On Tuesday, the Nigerian Government announced the nomination of the just-retired former Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa as Defence Minister, as replacement for Muhammead Badaru, whose resignation was announced a day earlier.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
