WASHINGTON
Two House Democrats criticized President Donald Trump on Monday following his threat to cut off all US assistance to Nigeria and consider military intervention in the West African country.
In a joint statement, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs, a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, said the move “ignores the complex reality of violence” in Africa’s most populous nation.
"The Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern ignores the complex reality of violence there. Clashes between farmers, many but not all of whom are Christian, and herders are driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion alone," they wrote.
Their remarks came after Trump threatened Nigeria with possible military action for the alleged "killing of Christians."
The lawmakers said that terrorist groups in Nigeria have killed both Christians and Muslims, devastating communities across the country. They noted that much of the recent violence has occurred in the predominantly Muslim north, where so-called “bandit” gangs have become increasingly active.
"It is incredibly irresponsible of President Trump to threaten military action. Providing security support is one thing; threatening military intervention to ‘defend Christians’ is a reckless response to distorted facts which risks embroiling the United States in another war.
"And Trump’s aid cuts have blocked much-needed emergency nutrition and livelihoods training—the very types of programs essential to stopping the spread of insurgency," they said.