A coalition of Nigerian Christian organizations has made an urgent appeal to international bodies, demanding immediate investigation into what they describe as ongoing genocide against Christians in the country.
International Intervention Sought
The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN), representing multiple Christian bodies, has formally requested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) and United Nations launch an independent probe. The coalition insists that the pattern and scale of killings in certain regions meet the international definition of genocide under established conventions.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, Convener of CSMN, emphasized that denials by government officials and some religious groups do not invalidate their claims. "The responsibility to determine whether genocide has occurred rests with international investigators and not with local actors with vested interests," Emmanuel stated.
Legal Framework and International Support
The coalition specifically referenced the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Rome Statute of the ICC as the legal basis for their request. They highlighted that genocide is a crime recognized by international law and its occurrence can only be established by statutory international investigators.
The movement expressed gratitude for US President Donald Trump's concern about the killings of Christians in Nigeria and his warning of potential American intervention. The coalition affirmed their full support for whatever measures the US president deems necessary to address the situation.
The group also endorsed the recent designation of Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" by the United States, arguing that foreign intervention has become necessary due to the government's alleged failure to protect vulnerable communities.
Coalition Composition and Criticisms
The broad coalition includes several prominent Christian organizations:
- Middle Belt Voice
- National Christian Elders Forum
- National Prayer Altar
- Apostolic Round Table
- Stefanos Foundation
- Lay Faithful Trust Foundation
The coalition criticized the African Union and Muslim groups, including the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), for denying the existence of Christian genocide in Nigeria. They maintained that mere denial does not equate to non-occurrence of the crime.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims of genocide against Christians, setting the stage for a contentious international debate about the situation in Africa's most populous nation.
