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United States lawmakers have proposed a bilateral agreement between the US and Nigeria to “protect vulnerable Christian communities from violent persecution”.
The proposal also seeks to eliminate jihadist terror activity as part of protection efforts but would also “further economic cooperation, and counter adversaries in the region”, a report by the lawmakers reads.
The Chinese Communist Party and Russian Federation were named as such adversaries.
The joint report was prepared by the house committees on appropriations and foreign affairs in the wake of President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC).
Trump’s decision was in response to allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria despite repeated rebuttals from the federal government.
“The United States and Nigeria should take this moment to redefine a new strategic partnership to make America — and Nigeria — safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” the report released Monday said.
DIVESTMENT OF RUSSIAN MILITARY EQUIPMENT
Lawmakers also proposed a continued and expanded security cooperation “including by divestment of Russian military equipment for American military equipment through sales and financing”.
Nigeria has a long-standing military partnership with Russia.
In 2021, Bashir Magashi, then-minister of defence, signed a cooperation agreement with Russia on behalf of the federal government, which provided a legal framework for the supply of military equipment, provision of after sales services, training of personnel in educational establishments and technology transfer, among others.
The deal came after Nigeria expressed a need to acquire more Russian military hardware to combat insecurity in the country.
Last May, Christopher Musa, then-chief of defence staff, met with Russian officials to finalise agreements enhancing training, logistics, arms supply, and intelligence-sharing in the fight against terrorism.
Musa, now defence minister, noted that Russia had donated weapons and drones to combat terrorism in Nigeria and the Sahel region.
Earlier this month, Andrey Podyolyshev, Russian ambassador to Nigeria, said both countries were engaging in talks on further military partnerships, but did not provide details on the subject.
Historically at odds with the US, Russia has pivoted in the Sahel, capitalising on resentment against former colonial power France and perceived Western meddling.
In Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, military juntas have expelled French and US forces, turning to Moscow for Wagner Group mercenaries — now rebranded Africa Corps — who trade security for gold and resources like uranium without preconditions on governance.
The proposed recommendations by US lawmakers noted the enlistment of support from international partners including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
The lawmakers also called for counteracting of “the hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations and their destabilizing practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias”.
Two weeks ago, congressmen sponsored a bill proposing that the country’s secretary of state work with the Nigerian government to thwart “hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations”.
