An American lawmaker, Riley Moore, has attacked China for warning the United States against taking military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians. Moore said Beijing had no authority to dictate Washington’s foreign policy or decisions concerning human rights.
Moore made his position known in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday. He backed former President Donald Trump’s proposal to protect Christians in Nigeria, stating that the United States had a duty to stand up for people suffering persecution because of their faith. He said that America must act when people are being killed for their religion.
The lawmaker also accused China of hypocrisy, citing its human rights abuses, including the arrest of Christian pastors and its treatment of ethnic minorities. He argued that a country with such a record had no moral standing to caution the US on how to respond to global issues.
His reaction came after reports that China had warned the US government against what it described as interference in Nigeria’s internal matters. The warning followed Trump’s recent threat of possible military intervention in Nigeria to defend Christian communities allegedly facing attacks.
In response to Trump’s comments, China expressed full support for the Nigerian government. It said Nigeria had the right to pursue its own path of development without external interference. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that it opposed the use of religion and human rights as excuses for foreign powers to threaten sanctions or military action.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has also reacted to Trump’s remarks, urging him to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and avoid any attempt to send American troops into the country.
Moore’s comments have added a new layer to the growing tension between the United States, China, and Nigeria over the issue of religious freedom and international involvement in domestic affairs.