Genocide: US congress panels hold hearing on religious freedom, raise concerns over Nigeria
Witnesses Warn of Rising Religious Tensions in Nigeria Ahead of Congressional Hearing
Witnesses scheduled to testify before the United States Congress on Wednesday have cautioned that Nigeria may experience escalating religious tensions if ongoing violence and insecurity are not addressed. These concerns highlight Nigeria as a critical focal point in the global debate on religious freedom.
The warnings are outlined in written testimonies released ahead of a joint hearing by the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Africa and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. The session, entitled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World,” will explore threats to freedom of belief in various regions.
Among those set to testify are former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback; Principal Advisor for Global Religious Freedom at the U.S. State Department, Mark Walker; Grace Drexel, daughter of a detained Chinese pastor; and Dr. Stephen Schneck, former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
In his prepared remarks, Brownback described Nigeria as “the deadliest place on the planet to be a Christian,” cautioning that trends in violence, displacement, and insecurity indicate a possible deterioration of the religious situation.
“Early warning signs of a Muslim-on-Christian war are brewing across Africa, and Nigeria sits at the center of that danger,” Brownback stated. He emphasized that faith communities under threat worldwide are “America’s greatest allies in the spread of freedom.” He also expressed concern about the influence of foreign nations in Nigeria, warning that involvement from countries such as China, Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia could further complicate the region’s stability if left unchecked.
In a separate submission, Schneck characterized the current state of religious freedom as a “historic crisis” globally, citing Nigeria, Syria, and Sudan as nations where weak governance and insecurity jeopardize religious communities. He criticized perceived shortcomings in the enforcement of the United States’ International Religious Freedom Act, arguing that U.S. actions have not aligned with its stated commitments.
“If we are to take the International Religious Freedom Act as our measure, then the United States is not doing enough. We have been long on rhetoric and short on substance,” Schneck remarked.
He also advised against focusing advocacy efforts solely on Christians, asserting that protections for international religious freedom should extend to all faiths.
This renewed attention from Congress follows Nigeria’s recent designation by President Donald Trump as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to alleged violations of religious freedom. The designation has prompted diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Nigeria, including security consultations and meetings with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
While U.S. lawmakers scrutinize the issue, the Nigerian government has consistently refuted claims of targeted religious persecution, maintaining that the country’s insecurity affects citizens across various religious and ethnic lines.
The results of the hearing are expected to shape future U.S. legislative and diplomatic actions regarding religious freedom issues in Nigeria and other similarly designated countries.
