U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has fired a diplomatic shot at Nigeria, sponsoring a bill that targets individuals and officials accused of enforcing Sharia and blasphemy laws in the country, in what is a move he says will punish those behind what he calls the persecution of Christians.
The legislation follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing widespread attacks on Christians by Islamist extremists.
Cruz, in a fiery statement on Friday, said his bill would cement America’s resolve to confront religious oppression in Nigeria.
He said, “I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination. I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today.”
According to the Texas senator, the bill will strengthen U.S. action against Nigerian officials accused of fostering violence and discrimination against Christians.
“Today’s designation is a critical step in holding accountable and changing the behaviour of Nigerian officials who have facilitated and created an environment conducive to the outrages in Nigeria. My legislation implements additional steps, including targeting those who implement blasphemy and sharia laws in Nigeria, and I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues to advance my bill and implement these necessary measures,” he stated.
Cruz hailed Trump’s move, adding, “Today’s decision by President Trump is a great one, and I thank him for his strong leadership.”
Trump, in his remarks, alleged that thousands of Christians have been slaughtered by radical Islamist groups in Nigeria, calling it a growing threat to global Christianity. He warned that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,” urging urgent investigations and tougher policies.
But in a sharp rebuttal, both the Nigerian Presidency and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) dismissed the allegations of a “Christian genocide.”
While CAN branded the reports as “false narratives peddled by foreign agents,” the Presidency maintained that “there is no religious war” in the country.
