China yesterday rejected the United States’ threat to take military action against Nigeria, saying it is firmly opposed to any external interference in the country’s internal affairs.
Recall that US President Donald Trump had last weekend, threatened to take military action against Nigeria, following allegations of genocide against Christians in the country.
The Chinese government’s stance came on a day the Federal Government said religious extremists are behind the narrative alleging genocide against Christians, warning that their goal is to divide the nation.
This is even as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said yesterday that because of the need to take a co-ordinated national response to Trump’s threat, the Senate will take the matter to the executive arm of government, especially as the issue in question bordered on foreign policy and diplomatic relations.
Meanwhile, stakeholders, including the northern states chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, continued in their call on Nigerians to unite against the US threat.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, who stated his country’s position in a statement published on the ministry’s website yesterday, said China, as a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, is in support of the Nigerian government’s right to pursue a development path that aligns with its national realities.
He said: “As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on a development path that fits Nigeria’s national realities.
“We oppose any country’s interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of religion and human rights. We oppose the wanton threat of sanctions and the use of force.”
Mao’s comments is coming in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing alleged persecution of Christian communities.
Trump warned that the U.S. could suspend assistance to Nigeria or take military action if the Nigerian government “continues to condone the killing of Christians.”
US lawmakers blast Trump, says threatening military action against Nigeria irresponsible, reckless
Also, two members of the United States parliament, Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, have condemned President Donald Trump’s recent threat to cut off aid and launch military action against Nigeria.
Meeks, a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Ms Jacobs, ranking member of the Africa Subcommittee, described the comments as “irresponsible and reckless.”
In a joint statement on Monday, the lawmakers also rejected the Nigerian designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the Trump administration.
“The Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern ignores the complex reality of violence there.
“Clashes between farmers are many but not all of whom are Christian—and herders are driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion alone,” the lawmakers said.
They noted that terrorist groups had killed both Christians and Muslims across the country, particularly in the predominantly Muslim North, which continues to face violent attacks by criminal gangs, commonly referred to as bandits.
“All Nigerians deserve protection, and we know President Tinubu recognises the importance of inter-faith harmony and is working to address this challenge,” the statement added.
The lawmakers further criticised Mr Trump’s remarks threatening to “defend Christians” through possible military intervention, calling it a “reckless response to distorted facts”.
They said: “It is incredibly irresponsible of President Trump to threaten military action. Providing security support is one thing; threatening military intervention is another matter entirely. Such rhetoric risks embroiling the United States in another needless war.’’
On the threat of aid cut to Nigeria, the lawmakers argued that doing so would undermine critical humanitarian and development programmes in Nigeria.
“Trump’s aid cuts have blocked much-needed emergency nutrition and livelihoods training, the very types of programmes essential to stopping the spread of insurgency,” they added.
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