The United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa on Thursday opened a public hearing to scrutinize President Donald Trump’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for severe violations of religious freedom.
The hearing, which began at 5:00 p.m. EST, is examining the evidence behind the State Department’s move to place Nigeria back on the CPC list, a designation that subjects the country to heightened monitoring and opens the door to targeted sanctions against officials implicated in religious persecution.
If the designation is confirmed by the full Congress, it could lead to restrictions on certain categories of U.S. bilateral assistance to Africa’s most populous nation.
Lawmakers from both parties questioned State Department officials on the specific incidents of religious violence and discrimination that prompted the redesignation, as well as its potential impact on U.S.-Nigeria security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
More details to follow as the hearing continues.
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