China Supports Nigeria Amid US Threats over Alleged Religious Violence

China has publicly expressed its support for the Nigerian government in response to threats of sanctions and military action from the United States. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made this announcement during a press conference in Beijing on 4 November, following US President Donald Trump's designation of Nigeria as a 'country of particular concern' due to allegations of persecution against Christian communities.

The remarks from the Chinese government come after President Trump stated that Christians in Nigeria are facing significant threats, claiming that thousands have been killed by radical Islamist groups. This designation was made on 31 October, prompting a swift response from Beijing.

Mao Ning stated, "As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people towards a development path that aligns with Nigeria's national reality. We oppose any foreign interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the guise of religion and human rights, and we reject the indiscriminate threats of sanctions and use of force."

The US reaction included comments from Congressman Riley M. Moore, who represents West Virginia’s Second District in the House of Representatives. Moore asserted that the US would not allow China to dictate its foreign policy. In a statement on social media, he said, "A communist autocracy that recently arrested 30 Christian pastors for their faith and detained ethnic minorities in concentration camps cannot lecture us. President Trump is absolutely correct to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering horrific persecution."

In a related development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a statement on 4 November rejecting claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria. ECOWAS termed the allegations as false and dangerous, emphasising that the violence perpetrated by various terrorist groups targets innocent civilians across all religious denominations, including Muslims and Christians.

The organisation urged the international community to recognise the growing violence in the West African region and to support member states in combating these threats. They highlighted that terrorist-related violence does not discriminate based on gender, religion, ethnicity, or age.

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has reiterated the country’s commitment to religious tolerance, stating that the security challenges faced affect people across different faiths and regions. Nigeria has a long history of religious and ethnic tensions, particularly in the northeast, where Islamist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have carried out deadly attacks for over a decade. Additionally, conflicts between farmers and herders in the central states have resulted in significant casualties.

The term 'genocide' was first coined by Jewish-Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1943, combining the Greek word 'genos' meaning race or tribe, with the Latin word 'cide' meaning to kill. Lemkin advocated for the recognition of genocide as an international crime after witnessing the horrors of the Holocaust, where he lost most of his family. His efforts contributed to the adoption of the United Nations Genocide Convention in December 1948, which defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

As of 2022, 153 countries have ratified the convention, which imposes a duty on signatory states to prevent and punish acts of genocide. The situation remains complex, with ongoing violence and differing narratives surrounding the events in Nigeria as international communities continue to monitor the developments.