"Trump's remarks came after weeks of lobbying by US lawmakers and conservative Christian groups urging him to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for alleged religious persecution a list that also includes Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and China. His statement reflected renewed domestic political pressure to appear tough on the marginalisation or persecution of Christians abroad, a theme that resonates strongly with parts of his rightwing, evangelical base."
"Nigeria is officially secular but almost evenly divided between Muslims (53%) and Christians (45%), with the remaining population practising African traditional religions. Violence against Christians has drawn significant international attention, and is often framed as religious persecution. However, most analysts argue the situation is more complex. In parts of central Nigeria, deadly clashes between itinerant Muslim herders and predominantly Christian farming communities are rooted in competition over land and water but exacerbated by religious and ethnic differences."
Donald Trump threatened a guns-a-blazing US military intervention in Nigeria and warned Washington could immediately stop all aid if the Nigerian government failed to stop killings of Christians. The threat followed lobbying by US lawmakers and conservative Christian groups urging designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for alleged religious persecution. Nigeria is almost evenly split between Muslims and Christians. Violence in central Nigeria involves clashes between itinerant Muslim herders and predominantly Christian farming communities rooted in competition over land and water, exacerbated by religious and ethnic differences. Priests and pastors have increasingly been kidnapped for ransom as influential community figures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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