Under Scrutiny

Congress takes action regarding Nigeria

Springtime in Washington. One of the most interesting times of the year. Especially when it pertains to the Federal Budget. Members of Congress have a chance to promote or even fund the issues that are concerning them.

Over the last six months the persecution of Christians in Nigeria has risen among the priorities of both the Trump Administration and the Republicans in Congress. The country has been designated as a Country of Particular Concern as described by the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act (Amended), Militant Groups in the northwestern part of the country were targeted with missile strikes this past Christmas Day along with increased scrutiny.

There have been several meetings between elements of both the US and Nigerian Governments so far this year discussing how to coordinate in Security Issues.

In the recently released National Counterterrorism Strategy there are two goals specifically mentioned. While seeking to move away from the nation building and interventionism of previous administrations the current policy will focus on preventing Jihadist groups from building a base of operations from which will allow them to plan and execute attacks against the United States and against American interests around the world. Secondly is to protect Christians who have been slaughtered by these groups.

We know that the situation in Nigeria is a threat to the US as defined by the new strategy. Two questions arise. Is the situation on the ground improving since the kinetic action? Secondly, what further steps could be coming from Washington?

Regarding the first question about security that answer is mixed. While it appears that there is some improvement in the Lake Chad area of the country the current hotspots for attacks are Benue and Plateau States. The Nigerian Air Force has been able to destroy several terrorist camps in recent weeks as well.

Have these moves been able to placate the critics in Washington? One way to answer that question is by asking another question. That question is under the current circumstances is the Government of Bola Tinubu doing enough to protect those suffering in the Middle Belt?

According to Congressman Riley Moore who prepared the report on the Persecution of Christians under the direction of President Trump there is an answer. The Congressman was a key backer of a bill that was approved by the House Appropriations Committee that will limit funding for the Nigerian Security Sector until it improves on its record of protecting Christians.

The amount of funding provided by the US is no small amount. Between FY2019 and FY2023, the U.S. provided about $5 million in International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding, alongside roughly $500,000 under the Africa Military Education Program (AMEP) since FY2016 to strengthen Nigeria’s military institutions.

Under the terms of the proposed legislation Nigeria would be added to a list of countries requiring enhanced monitoring, with the U.S. Secretary of State mandated to submit detailed plans outlining how every dollar of assistance is allocated and spent, subject to direct congressional review.

Congressman Moore would be quoted after the bill was passed out of committee “The bill we passed out of committee also adds Nigeria to the list of countries requiring much higher levels of oversight. The Secretary is required to submit a plan for every dollar appropriated to Nigeria, and every dollar spent will have direct Congressional oversight.”

It is great to see some actors be held accountable for the actions that they are taking or not taking. Although Nigeria is not the only country where this should be taking place.