The Federal Government said yesterday that ongoing diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the United States were producing positive results towards easing tensions in both countries’ relations.
The government spoke on a day United States Congressman, Bill Huizenga, expressed disappointment in the Nigerian government’s handling of ongoing attacks on Christians, calling for economic sanctions, rather than military intervention.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation at the Vatican, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, has warned that Nigeria’s insecurity was self-inflicted, blaming the country’s deep divisions and growing intolerance for its unending cycle of violence.
But the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 northern states and the FCT, yesterday urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue as the best way to resolve the country’s challenges.
Similarly, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, said adopting the conventional ‘war approach’ was not the way to solve the terrorism challenge in Nigeria, noting that terrorism was multifaceted.
On the engagement with the US government, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said talks between both countries were yielding positive results.
Speaking on the UK-based Sky News programme, “The World With Yalda Hakim,” on Monday night, Idris confirmed that constructive dialogue was underway and yielding mutual understanding.
“Channels of communication have been opened, I can confirm that. We are talking to them, and I believe they are now appreciating the situation better.
‘’Much of the earlier misunderstanding arose from an incomplete grasp of the diversity and complexity of our domestic challenges,” he said.
The minister also revealed that intelligence had established links between a proscribed separatist organization in Nigeria and certain U.S.-based lobby groups allegedly working to misrepresent Nigeria’s situation to American policymakers.
He said: “We have observed a direct connection between lobbyists in the United States and a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria. These groups are actively engaging influential people in the U.S. to advance misleading narratives.’’ Reaffirming Nigeria’s longstanding partnership with the United States in combating terrorism, Idris urged renewed cooperation to address ongoing security challenges.
“Yes, we acknowledge that there are conflicts and security issues in parts of Nigeria. However, the United States has in the past been a dependable ally in helping our country manage such situations.
‘’We are once again calling for that partnership to be strengthened so that, together, we can achieve lasting peace,” he said.
Expressing surprise at recent reports and statistics emerging from the U.S, the minister said: “We want the world to know that Nigeria shares the concerns about the tragic incidents occurring in some regions, but it is important to understand the diversity and complexity of our society. Some of the figures being circulated cannot withstand scientific scrutiny.”
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom, the MInister said: “Our constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Nigeria remains a multi-faith country, and the current conflicts are not driven by religious persecution.”
FG not doing enough to end Christian killings —US Congressman
But United States Congressman, Bill Huizenga, has expressed disappointment in the Nigerian government’s handling of ongoing attacks on Christians, calling for economic sanctions, instead of military intervention.
In an interview with Arise News in Washington, DC, Huizenga called for targeted sanctions, instead of US military intervention amid genocide allegations in Nigeria.
Huizenga, a key advocate for President Trump’s resolution designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” said he was “shocked” by Trump’s recent comments about a potential invasion but agreed that religious persecution must end.
The Congressman said Nigeria risked repeating the tragedies seen in Rwanda and South Sudan if action was not taken swiftly.