China’s Foreign Ministry has responded to President Donald Trump’s threat of military action over what he called the “mass slaughter” of Nigerian Christians, criticizing his remarks as a “wanton” threat of force.
Why It Matters
Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies and the continent’s most populous nation, is home to roughly 232 million people evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.
The country has for decades grappled with complex security challenges, particularly Islamist insurgencies such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State. Thousands of both Christians and Muslims have been killed, with violence also stemming from non-religious disputes, such as those over natural resources.
Nigeria maintains a defense partnership with the United States, although the relationship has weakened in recent years. At the same time, the West African nation has increasingly benefited from Chinese arms sales and deepening economic ties with Beijing, which offers investment and loans with fewer political conditions.
Newsweek reached out to the White House, Pentagon, and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., via emailed requests for comment.
What To Know
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday that “Christianity is facing an existential threat” in Nigeria and declared the country “a nation of particular concern.” In a follow-up post on Sunday, he threatened to cut aid and “send forces in, guns-a-blazing” if Lagos failed to stop attacks by Islamist groups.
“As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on a development path that fits Nigeria’s national realities,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters at a regular press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.
“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,” Mao said, according to a translation posted on X by the official account of the Chinese Embassy in Lagos.
Nigerian officials have denied that Christians are being specifically targeted, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying in a statement on social media on Sunday that his government was committed to working with the U.S. and others to deepen religious tolerance and protect all faiths.
CNN reported that Trump’s initial Truth Social post followed a Fox News segment about the persecution of Christians by Islamist militants in Nigeria, which “immediately” angered him. A White House official told CNN that Trump had already been closely following the issue.
What People Are Saying
Donald Trump, U.S. president, said on Truth Social: “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
Daniel Bwala, special adviser to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, said on X: “…There’s no Christian genocide happening in Nigeria. What we’re facing are criminal attacks that sadly affect everyone, no matter their religion.”
Riley Moore, representative for West Virginia, said on X: “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 throws ethnic minorities in concentration camps.”
What Happens Next
Trump said he had directed the Pentagon to “prepare for possible action.” Some observers have downplayed the likelihood of direct U.S. military involvement, with one source familiar with Trump’s thinking telling CNN that the threats were intended as an “Art of the Deal-type strategy” to gauge Nigeria’s reaction.