PeacePro condemns U.S. Congress sanctions on Nigeria for alleged Christian persecution, warning that it supports Boko Haram’s propaganda. The organization notes that the U.S. faces its own violence crises and criticizes the double standards in responses to human rights issues. PeacePro calls for national unity in Nigeria and for the government to reject the sanctions.
The Foundation for Peace Professionals, known as PeacePro, has publicly condemned the U.S. Congress’s decision to impose sanctions on Nigeria due to alleged persecution of Christians. Executive Director Abdulrazaq Hamzat characterized the Congress’s actions as reckless and potentially harmful, suggesting that such sanctions could inadvertently support the propaganda of terrorist groups like Boko Haram by reinforcing a narrative that Nigeria is waging a war on Christians.
In his statement, Mr. Hamzat emphasized that organizations like Boko Haram exploit existing religious tensions in Nigeria to justify their violent acts and recruit new members. He argued that by portraying Nigeria’s security issues as a religious conflict, the U.S. Congress inadvertently grants credibility to these extremist narratives. PeacePro articulated that the sanctions contribute to a dangerous falsity that aids in Boko Haram’s recruitment efforts while deepening societal divisions.
PeacePro provided a stark comparison of violence statistics, noting that over 216,506 individuals were victims of homicide and gun violence in the U.S. from 2020 to 2022, a number significantly higher than the reported 55,910 deaths in Nigeria from October 2019 to September 2023. The organization criticized the U.S. Congress for focusing on Nigeria while disregarding the domestic violence crisis within its own borders, describing it as a troubling double standard in addressing human rights violations.
The organization urged the U.S. to confront its gun violence issues before imposing sanctions elsewhere. PeacePro highlighted that Nigeria is engaged in a complex struggle against terrorism and organized crime, stating that external interference based on misleading religious narratives could undermine Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Moreover, PeacePro called upon the Nigerian government to reject these sanctions while seeking partnerships that respect Nigeria’s security needs. They also encouraged religious and political leaders in Nigeria to resist divisive rhetoric and advocate for national unity amidst external pressures.
In summary, PeacePro has strongly criticized the U.S. Congress for its sanctions against Nigeria concerning alleged Christian persecution, suggesting these actions empower terrorist propaganda. The organization calls for a balanced approach to international relations and urges the Nigerian government to reject the sanctions while advocating for national unity against divisive narratives. The highlighted double standards in addressing violence further underscore the complexities surrounding security issues both domestically in the U.S. and abroad in Nigeria.
Original Source: dailynigerian.com
