Rome: Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on Arab and African affairs, has dismissed the claim of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, emphasizing that Boko Haram’s attacks have claimed more Muslim lives.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Boulos made these remarks in an interview following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu during the Aqaba Process Summit in Rome, Italy. The summit, aimed at addressing insecurity across West Africa and the Sahel region, gathered leaders from Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Boulos stated that terrorism is not confined to any color or religion, advocating for a unified and holistic approach to combating terrorism and insecurity. His comments came in response to a U.S. lawmaker’s call for sanctions against Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution and a recommendation to designate Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC).
The envoy highlighted that individuals from all religious and tribal backgrounds are victims of terrorist acts, stressing that Boko Haram and ISIS have been responsible for more Muslim casualties than Christian ones. He emphasized the need for deeper U.S.-Nigeria collaboration to address terrorism and safeguard civilian lives.
Boulos acknowledged the tragic loss of life in Nigeria’s North Central region, including Christian casualties, but reiterated that the violence is not specifically targeted at any single group. He praised Nigeria’s diversity, describing it as a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, and noted recent security improvements under President Tinubu’s administration.
The summit, hosted by Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, convened heads of state, defense ministers, and regional stakeholders to enhance international security cooperation, with a focus on West Africa and the Sahel. Boulos assured ongoing U.S. support for Nigeria’s security and counterterrorism efforts.