A spokesperson for the Nigerian presidency says that Nigeria is open to getting help from the U.S. in fighting Islamist insurgents. This is as long as its sovereignty is respected. This happened after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. might send troops to Nigeria if it doesn’t stop violence against Christians within its borders.
Daniel Bwala, a spokesman for the Nigerian presidency, told Reuters on Sunday that Nigeria is ready to work with the U.S. to fight terrorism. However, he stressed that Nigeria’s territorial integrity must be respected. He also said he was hopeful about the upcoming talks between President Trump and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. He hoped they would be able to work together to fight terrorism.
President Trump told the U.S. Defense Department on Saturday to get ready for quick military action in Nigeria if the country doesn’t do enough to stop attacks on Christians. Trump also said that all U.S. aid to Nigeria would be stopped because of the problem.
Nigeria, which has more than 200 million people, is the most populous country in Africa. The north is mostly Muslim and the south is mostly Christian. The country has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for more than 15 years. The conflict is mostly in the northeast, where most of the people are Muslim. Analysts point out that most of the people who have died in the conflict are Muslims. Although Christians have been victims of violence too.
President Bola Tinubu has denied claims that there is religious discrimination in Nigeria. He defended the country’s efforts to protect religious freedom. The government is still under pressure from both inside and outside the country to deal with the threat of Islamist militants. It must keep all communities safe.
This most recent meeting could lead to more military cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria. It would be part of a stronger plan to stop terrorism in West Africa.
