US Senator Ted Cruz has criticised the Nigerian government for creating conditions that have allowed Christians to be persecuted and killed, amid African Union claims denying genocide in the country.
Cruz made the remarks on Friday while tagging Fox News coverage reporting comments by African Union Commission Chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who dismissed allegations of Christian genocide in northern Nigeria.
Youssouf told reporters at the United Nations that Muslims were the primary victims of Boko Haram, stating, “The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians, and I’m saying this with documented references.”
He further insisted, “Let me say this first—there is no genocide in northern Nigeria,” adding that the violence in northern Nigeria is not comparable to atrocities in Sudan or parts of eastern DRC.
Cruz accused Nigerian officials of using public relations campaigns to deflect criticism while failing to protect Christians, declaring, “Nigerian officials know their policies have created an environment in which Christians are being persecuted and slaughtered, including their enforcement of sharia law and their tolerance of Islamist violence.”
The senator warned that the Abuja government is attempting to escape accountability, emphasising, “Instead of reversing these policies, they are waging a media campaign to escape exposure and accountability. I intend to prevent them from doing so.”
Newsmen reported that the statement coincides with a surge in attacks on Christian communities, including the killing of at least 51 Christians in Plateau State alone.
A senior White House official told Fox News that Bola Tinubu’s administration risks losing all US aid if attacks on Christians continue and warned of possible action against Islamic extremists, adding that Nigeria has been designated a “country of particular concern”.
Some US lawmakers are calling for even stronger measures, including sanctions and military options, to respond to the violence, with Rep. Riley Moore suggesting “even kinetic military action” may be necessary.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stressed that the Nigerian government is struggling with an insurgency affecting all communities and that international assistance should be coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
The controversy highlights growing international scrutiny of Nigeria’s handling of Islamist violence and the continued persecution of Christian communities amid the enforcement of Sharia law in northern states.
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