- the CPC designation is intended to deepen engagement with Nigeria
- Pratt disclosed that the delegation is expected to meet with officials from both the State Department and the Department of War
- US will work with Nigeria to develop an action plan and establish a task force that will address the concerns through diplomacy
The United States has announced plans to work closely with the Nigerian government to address growing allegations of Christian persecution raised at a congressional hearing in Washington D.C.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Jonathan Pratt, a senior official at the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, told lawmakers on Thursday that the directive came from Secretary of State Marco Rubio following renewed diplomatic pressure after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
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Nigeria had earlier deployed a high-level delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, accompanied by Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, to engage American officials on the matter and challenge the escalating claims.
Pratt disclosed that the delegation is expected to meet with officials from both the State Department and the Department of War after Trump instructed defence authorities to prepare for potential military action linked to the issue.
He explained that the US will work with Nigeria to develop an action plan and establish a task force that will address the concerns through diplomacy, security support, policing, and economic cooperation.
Jacob McGee, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, added that the CPC designation is intended to deepen engagement with Nigeria, stressing that the responsibility for addressing the situation ultimately lies with the Nigerian government.
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