The Digest:
A new United States House of Representatives bill has alleged that illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria engage in the "destabilizing practice" of paying protection money to Fulani militias. The 'Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026', introduced by five Republican lawmakers including Chris Smith and Riley Moore, proposes that the US Secretary of State work with the Nigerian government to counteract this "hostile foreign exploitation." The bill also recommends technical support to Nigeria for disarmament programs and counter-terrorism cooperation, and calls for determining whether Fulani-ethnic militias qualify as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The legislation references a 2023 Times report detailing Chinese nationals in Zamfara serving as runners for militant groups.
Key Points:
- The allegations, if substantiated, would implicate foreign actors in fuelling Nigeria's protracted security crisis.
- It introduces a new geopolitical dimension to counter-terrorism efforts, linking illegal mining to militia financing.
- Nigerian security forces gain potential international technical support, while Chinese mining operations face heightened scrutiny.
- This signals growing US legislative focus on external actors' role in Nigeria's instability, beyond domestic drivers.
- The timing, alongside sanctions on Nigerian figures, indicates comprehensive congressional pressure on multiple fronts.
The bill's provisions on Chinese mining and militia financing will require diplomatic engagement between Nigeria, the US, and China if enacted.
Sources: TheCable, US House of Representatives Bill HR 7457, The Times (2023)
