There has been mixed reaction among missionary workers to the news that the US State Department has updated its classification of Nigeria to a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) due to its severe persecution of Christians.
The ongoing situation in Nigeria gained more publicity following comments by comedian Bill Maher, who described persecution as genocidal. Now, Trump’s administration has upped its designation of the country and has hinted at further action if violations of religious freedom are not halted.
Paul Robinson, CEO of Release International, told en that seeing American politicians taking the issue seriously is “heartening." He hopes it will bring the situation to more people’s attention.
He said: “The last two decades or so have seen a horrifying catalogue of violence perpetrated against Christians in the northern and central areas of Nigeria by various Islamist militant groups. Too often the western media has portrayed this as sectarian and implied ‘tit-for-tat’ aggression. This simply isn’t true.”
However, a Mission Africa partner revealed that he is “sceptical” of Trump’s motivations, and “slightly afraid” of the potential implications. Questioning what this development will actually achieve, he said: “This development has the potential of exacerbating the division between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria and scuttling the efforts of [the Nigerian] government to bring the situation under control. The church should continue to stand firm in prayers trusting that God can bring an end to the insecurity in the country.”
