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Tag: Massad Boulos

  • Genocide Claim: Boko Haram, ISIS killing more Muslims than Christians – Trump’s Advisor

    Genocide Claim: Boko Haram, ISIS killing more Muslims than Christians – Trump’s Advisor

    • Says US satisfied with Tinubu’s handling of farmer-herder conflicts, pledges support

    The Senior Advisor to the United States of America President Donald Trump on Arab and African Affairs, Mr. Massad Boulos, has dismissed recent claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

    He said the American government is aware that terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS have killed more Muslims than Christians in the country.

    US Senator Ted Cruz had in an X (formerly Twitter) post penultimate Tuesday accused the Federal Government of encouraging the massacre of Christians.

    Senator Cruz alleged that no fewer than 50,000 Christians had been killed since 2009, with 2,000 schools and 18,000 churches destroyed by what he called the Islamist armed groups.

    He therefore introduced a bill to sanction Nigerian officials whom he accused of ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians.

    But Mr. Boulos, who spoke with journalists in Rome after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday, described any loss of life as “unfortunate”, stressing that terrorism in Nigeria is indiscriminate and affects people of all faiths and ethnicities.

    “Those who know the terrain well know that terrorism has no colour, no religion, and no tribe.

    “People of all religions and all tribes are dying as a result of terrorist acts.

    “We even know that Boko Haram and ISIS are killing more Muslims than Christians.

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    “This is not specifically targeted at one group or the other,” Boulos said.

    He added that the United States recognises the efforts of President Tinubu’s administration in tackling insecurity and addressing the farmer-herder crisis in the North-Central region.

    “The Nigerian government and President Tinubu’s administration have recently taken additional measures and put more resources in those areas, and we’ve seen some improvements in recent weeks.

    “We appreciate those measures, and we definitely look forward to more of those, and we look forward to ending these sorts of acts, wherever they come from,” he noted.

    Boulos emphasised that Nigeria remains a model of religious coexistence, describing it as a “melting pot” where Christians and Muslims have lived together in harmony for centuries.

    “Nigeria’s population is split almost 50/50 between Christians and Muslims.

    “This has never been a serious religious issue, and should not be.

    “We appreciate what President Tinubu has done, and we shall continue to work together to make sure it’s taken care of,” he said.

    He reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in resolving conflicts and strengthening national unity, urging continued collaboration to eradicate terrorism and foster peace across all regions.

  • Economic wars: U.S. envoy meets Tinubu in Paris

    Economic wars: U.S. envoy meets Tinubu in Paris

    The United States has opened discussions with President Bola Tinubu on expanding economic cooperation across Africa as part of efforts to deepen trade, investment, and development ties on the continent.

    This was disclosed following a meeting on Thursday between President Tinubu and U.S. State Department Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, in Paris, where the Nigerian leader is currently on a short working visit.

    According to a statement posted Friday on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, and shared by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the talks also touched on key security concerns in the region.

    “State Department Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos met with President Tinubu on Thursday to discuss regional security, including working together with partners to build a durable peace in eastern DRC,” the U.S. Mission stated.

    “They also discussed expanding opportunities for economic cooperation throughout Africa,” it added.

    The meeting comes at a time when Nigeria is working to reposition itself as a hub for investment and economic growth on the continent. 

    President Tinubu has consistently called for stronger global partnerships to drive industrialization, job creation, and infrastructure development in Africa.

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    Though specific details of the economic discussions were not disclosed, analysts say the meeting reflects growing American interest in engaging with African leaders on development-focused diplomacy, with Nigeria seen as a critical anchor in West Africa.

    President Tinubu has been in Paris since Wednesday, April 2, undertaking a short working visit aimed at reviewing his administration’s midterm performance and setting strategic priorities for the next phase of his tenure.

    While abroad, the President has remained actively engaged in state matters, and Thursday’s high-level engagement with the U.S. State Department underscores Nigeria’s central role in regional affairs and global economic conversations.

    Tinubu is expected to return to the country shortly, with public attention focused on the outcome of his consultations and the anticipated direction of new policies in the coming months.