The Chinese Government has asked the Government of the United States to stay clear of Nigeria’s internal affairs under the pretext of religion and human rights.
The warning is sequel to United States President Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria as a result of genocide against Christians.
Trump had designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern last Friday, having concluded that Christians in Nigeria were facing existential threat.
But China, through the spokesperson of its Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, at a regular press conference in Beijing, said China was opposed to the wanton threat of sanction and use of force.
Mao said: “As a comprehensive, strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people to a development path that fits her national realities.
“We oppose any country’s interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of religion and human rights. We oppose the wanton threat of sanction and use of force.”
Earlier, a journalist had told Mao that Trump designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern on October 31, on the ground that Christian communities were being threatened in Nigeria. The journalist also said the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, saying that the United States allegation was inconsistent with facts and that Nigeria would continue to fight violent extremism, protect its citizens, respect religious belief, diversity and inclusiveness and abide by the rules-based international order.
He also told Mao that Trump said on November 1 that if the Nigerian government continues to condone the killing of Christians, the US would immediately stop all assistance to Nigeria and likely take military actions against Nigeria to eliminate Islamic terrorists.
Reacting to China’s Embassy warning, a US Congressman, Riley Moore, said China would not dictate to the US how it would carry out its foreign policy.
Writing on his official X, Riley, said: “President Trump is absolutely right to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ, who are suffering horrific persecution and even martyrdom, for their faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
“China will not dictate our foreign policy to us and we will not be lectured to by a communist autocracy that recently arrested 30 Christian pastors for their faith and threw ethnic minorities in concentration camps.”
Credit: The Sun