The United States Congress has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to publicly condemn attacks on Christian farmers by Fulani herdsmen.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Global Human Rights and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who spoke during the week while welcoming the release of the State Department’s annual International Religious Freedom Report, applauded Secretary Pompeo’s announcement of a Ministerial Committee to Advance Religious Freedom scheduled for July 25-26, 2018.
The United States Congress has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to publicly condemn attacks on Christian farmers by Fulani herdsmen.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Global Human Rights and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who spoke during the week while welcoming the release of the State Department’s annual International Religious Freedom Report, applauded Secretary Pompeo’s announcement of a Ministerial Committee to Advance Religious Freedom scheduled for July 25-26, 2018.
The US report is coming just as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Thursday expressed concern that the introduction of Arabic Language as part of examinations in a secular country like Nigeria by the Buhari administration is another brazen attempt to Islamise the country and called for the cancellation of the Nigerian Police recruitment examination conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) where the Arabic Language was part of the subjects listed in the examination.
Smith said the federal government under Buhari was indifferent to attacks by Fulani herdsmen on predominantly Christian farmers.
He, therefore, stated that except Buhari spoke out against the killings, the situation would likely worsen in the lead-up to the 2019 general election.
He said: “Congress is watching the situation in Nigeria with growing concern, as the Nigerian government there appears too often to be indifferent to attacks by Fulani herdsmen on predominantly Christian farmers.
“The confluence of religious, ethnic, economic and political tensions is only likely to be exacerbated in the lead-up to elections next year unless President Muhammadu Buhari speaks out with a clear voice condemning the herdsmen attacks.
“We grieve with the families of those killed, including those of two priests and 17 worshippers who were buried just last week following an attack by herdsmen in Benue state in April.
“Getting the facts right on the global state of religious freedom is essential for the shaping of U.S. policy and priorities, and that is why the State Department’s annual report is so important.
“I welcome the report’s release and urge concerted action to protect this fundamental freedom.
“Religious freedom is under siege globally, challenging U.S. interests. It is no coincidence that the worst violators of religious freedom globally are also the biggest threats to our nation—those who wish to do Americans the most harm, and those who most want to tear down the pillars of democratic societies.”
According to him, a robust religious freedom diplomacy not only reflects American values but advances U.S. national security interests.
Congressman Smith noted the need to take more direct action in certain countries including Nigeria.
