State Department suggested religious cleansing by terrorists flowed in part from ‘legitimate concerns’

By: American Decency Staff

When State Department officials designated a Nigerian Islamist militant group as a foreign terrorist organization, they did so without mentioning that the people being terrorized are Christians targeted for their beliefs. In fact, they acted as if the group has other motivations.

"These designations are an important and appropriate step, but only one tool in what must be a comprehensive approach by the Nigerian government to counter these groups through a combination of law enforcement, political, and development efforts, as well as military engagement, to help root out violent extremism while also addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of northern Nigeria," the State Department said in the press release last week. "All of our assistance to Nigeria stresses the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring that human rights are respected. That assistance and these designations demonstrate U.S. support for the Nigerian people's fight against Boko Haram and Ansaru."

"While also addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of northern Nigeria" — such language suggests that the terrorism is an operation of Nigerian unrest about the economy or other social concerns. As it happens, Boko Haram's motivations are completely different.

The group, whose name means "Western education is sinful" in the native Hausa language, is formally known as the Congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad and has become known for demanding Christians convert to Islam or die.

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