The US House of Representatives will hold a hearing on 12 November to examine Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christians and secure communities in the Middle Belt.
Republican lawmaker Chris Smith, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, announced the session in a notice issued by his office on Monday.
The hearing will examine attacks on Christian and Muslim communities, Nigeria’s response to the violence and possible US measures to press for stronger protection and accountability.
The Nigerian government has rejected descriptions of the insecurity as primarily religious persecution, saying terrorism, banditry and farmer-herder conflicts affect both Muslims and Christians.
The notice lists two State Department officials, Frank Garcia and Riley Barnes, for the first panel. A second panel will include religious-freedom researcher Nina Shea, Open Doors US chief executive Ryan Brown and Africa policy researcher Oge Onubogu.
The session is scheduled for 11am in Washington at the Rayburn House Office Building, with a livestream on YouTube. Smith’s office describes the witness list as partial.
Sources: Chris Smith’s hearing notice; Punch; Daily Post
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