China has called on the
international community to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty amid rising
tensions following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of
possible military action in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry
Spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed Beijing’s support for President Bola
Tinubu’s administration, praising Nigeria for pursuing a development path
suited to its national realities.
“As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria,
China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people to a
development path that fits Nigeria’s national realities,” Mao said during a
regular press briefing, according to a post by the Chinese Embassy in
Nigeria on X (formerly Twitter).
Beijing cautioned against the use of religion and
human rights as justifications for foreign interference in sovereign nations.
“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 added.
Trump’s Threat
Trump had, in an explosive post on his Truth Social
platform on Saturday, accused Nigeria of allowing what he described as the
“mass slaughter of Christians.” He said he had instructed the Pentagon to
prepare a possible plan of attack, warning that U.S. intervention would be “fast,
vicious, and sweet.”
When asked aboard Air Force One if he was
considering deploying troops or air strikes, Trump said, “Could be, I
envisage a lot of things.”
The comments have sparked widespread diplomatic
reactions and concern in both Abuja and Washington.
Nigeria Responds
In response, Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala
told AFP that Nigeria remains a strategic partner of the United States
in the global fight against terrorism, while stressing that cooperation must
respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Nigeria welcomes U.S. support to fight terrorism as
long as it respects our territorial integrity,” Bwala said.
He suggested that Trump’s comments might be aimed at
encouraging a high-level dialogue between both leaders, hinting that President
Tinubu and Trump could meet soon to discuss shared security
concerns.
Tinubu, however, dismissed claims of religious
persecution in Nigeria, insisting that the country remains a model of
tolerance.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously
intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” the President said.
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