Biafra political activist, Nnamdi Kanu has described as “good news” fresh reports that the United States designated Nigeria among Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) guilty of “egregious violations of religious freedom”, Afriupdate reports.
Kanu, the self-exiled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Tuesday, via his known Facebook page used the opportunity to further his call for the secession of Eastern Nigeria – his country of birth.
Kanu’s IPOB is a Biafran separatist organization in Nigeria whose main aim is to restore an independent state of Biafra in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria through an Independence referendum.
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Religious Freedom: US Blacklists Country Hated By Top Biafra Agitator, Nnamdi Kanu
It would be recalled that Afriupdate had reported that in a statement issued on Monday by the U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, Nigeria has been re-designated as CPC for the second time.
“Religious freedom is an unalienable right, and the bedrock upon which free societies are built and flourish.
“Today, the United States – a nation founded by those fleeing religious persecution, as the recent Commission on Unalienable Rights report noted – once again took action to defend those who simply want to exercise this essential freedom.
“The United States is designating Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, as amended, for engaging in or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom,” the statement read.
The U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom. No country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs. These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 7, 2020
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has reacted to the latest stance of the U.S. government.
Information minister, Lai Mohammed, said that Nigeria does not “engage in religious freedom violation”.
He added that every religious adherent is a “victim of insecurity and terrorism”.
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