The Pentagon was caught off guard after former U.S. President Donald Trump issued an sudden directive ordering the U.S. navy to arrange for potential strikes in Nigeria.
The order, posted on his Reality Social account over the weekend, accused the Nigerian authorities of permitting the killing of Christians and directed the Division of Protection to be prepared for what he described as “quick, vicious, and candy” motion.
A number of protection officers who spoke to Reuters confirmed that the directive was not a part of any present U.S. navy plan or strategic dialogue. The sudden announcement, they mentioned, left senior Pentagon officers scrambling to know its intent and the operational implications.
Protection Secretary James Danly reportedly responded “Sure, sir,” to the directive, however a number of officers described being blindsided by the order. One U.S. navy official, who requested anonymity, mentioned, “We’re all studying about this on the similar time.”
Trump’s instruction marks a big deviation from the Pentagon’s present priorities, which have centered on border safety, countering China’s rising navy affect, and reinforcing NATO allies towards Russia. The assertion instantly shifted consideration to Africa, a area the place america has restricted operational presence and one everlasting navy base in Djibouti — greater than 2,000 miles from Nigeria.
Analysts say the logistical and intelligence necessities for any direct strike in Nigeria are substantial. The U.S. would want regional cooperation, intelligence belongings, and on-ground coordination to establish militant targets linked to Boko Haram or Islamic State–West Africa Province (ISWAP). For now, officers confirmed that no particular plans or actions have been ordered.
Trump’s directive got here shortly after his administration added Nigeria to the checklist of “Nations of Explicit Concern” — a U.S. designation for nations that violate spiritual freedoms. The choice adopted lobbying from evangelical teams and lawmakers urging motion towards what they describe as assaults on Christians in Nigeria.
White Home spokeswoman Anna Kelly mentioned Trump was moved by rising considerations over violence concentrating on Christian communities.
“The president was motivated to take motion towards the existential risk that Christians are going through in Nigeria,” she mentioned, noting that Trump stays the ultimate decision-maker on all overseas coverage issues.
Evangelical chief Gary Bauer informed Reuters that a number of religion teams and U.S. lawmakers, together with Senator Ted Cruz, had urged the administration to behave. Cruz beforehand accused Nigerian authorities of tolerating what he referred to as a “Christian genocide” over the previous 15 years.
Regardless of the robust rhetoric, U.S. protection officers mentioned there have been no operational orders or useful resource allocations to West Africa. They described Trump’s remarks as sudden and mentioned they replicate the unpredictable communication fashion that characterised elements of his administration.
Navy consultants mentioned any strike towards rebel teams in Nigeria would require time, coordination, and regional intelligence buildup. They famous that whereas Trump’s feedback might have political motivation, such threats danger complicating relations with African allies and will pressure ongoing counterterrorism partnerships.
Nigeria’s authorities has but to situation an official response. The nation continues to face insurgency in its northeast, the place Boko Haram and ISWAP have killed tens of hundreds and displaced tens of millions since 2009. Whereas federal forces have made progress, sporadic assaults proceed throughout a number of states.
The directive provides to considerations amongst analysts concerning the unpredictability of U.S. protection coverage. Trump’s social media bulletins, usually made with out prior coordination, have repeatedly pressured the Pentagon to regulate its posture in actual time.
For now, no speedy motion is predicted, however the assertion underscores how a single presidential publish can generate uncertainty throughout the protection institution and heighten geopolitical rigidity with one in every of Africa’s most strategic companions.