For the second time in five years, Nigeria has been designated a “country of particular concern” by the US, due to alleged severe violations of the religious freedom of the nation’s Christians. This diplomatic move has been strongly refuted by Nigeria’s government, which insists the label misrepresents the nation’s complex reality. While such a designation carries the threat of sanctions, the US has historically waived such sanctions to maintain crucial security cooperation. The real risk now is a potential reduction in development and military aid, which would hamper Nigeria’s own fight against terrorism. To navigate this crisis, experts suggest Nigeria must proactively engage in diplomacy to preserve its partnership with the US. More critically, the nation should look beyond a purely military response and pursue deeper governance reforms, empowering local authorities to more effectively address the root causes of violence and insecurity for all citizens.
The Conversation
