US-Nigeria Relations Hit a New Low

 The International Crisis Group published on 7 November 2025 an analysis titled "Why Is President Trump Threatening a Humanitarian Intervention in Nigeria?" by Nnamdi Obasi, the Crisis Group's senior adviser for Nigeria.  

The author reviews the background of President Trump's threat to engage militarily in Nigeria to protect Christians and describes the current situation in the country.  He points out that the US-Nigerian rift has brought bilateral ties to their lowest point since the 1970s, when the two countries were at odds on how to end apartheid in South Africa.

Why Is Trump Threatening Nigeria?

 The BBC published on 6 November 2025 an article titled "Are Christians Being Persecuted in Nigeria as Trump Claims?" by Olaronke Alo, Chiamaka Enendu, and Ijeoma Ndukwe.

President Trump's claim that Nigeria, which is about equally divided between Muslims and Christians, is persecuting Christians apparently stems from attacks in northern Nigeria by the jihadi organization Boko Haram that began in 2009.  The BBC looks at the numbers killed over the years and concludes Boko Haram probably has killed more Muslims than Christians.  In any event, the government of Nigeria strongly opposes Boko Haram.  

The Pros and Cons of Diplomatic Recognition of Somaliland

 Newsweek posted on 9 September 2025 an article titled "This Aspiring Nation Wants to Be Trump's New Weapon Against China in Africa" by Tom O'Connor.  

The author examines the arguments for and against recognition of the breakaway Somaliland government, which now hosts almost a dozen liaison offices but has not been officially recognized by any country.  One theme in the argument favoring US recognition of Somaliland is that it would provide an ally for Washington in its competition with Beijing in Africa.   

Senator Cruz Calls for Recognition of Somaliland

 Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa, sent a letter to President Trump on 14 August 2025 urging that the administration formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state.

Senator Cruz Meets with African Ambassadors: Focus on China

 The office of Senator Ted Cruz (Republican, Texas), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, posted on 20 February 2025 a brief account of his meeting with African ambassadors.  

Countries represented at the meeting were Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Malawi, Ghana, Senegal, Djibouti, Madagascar, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Gabon, Togo, Mozambique, Mauritania, and Ethiopia as well as the Representative from the African Union.  

Following the meeting, Cruz said he intends to use the chairmanship "to ensure that America's policy toward Africa is focused on advancing American security interests across the continent, with an emphasis on countering China's efforts to undermine those interests and conduct malign activities."  He stated that China's Belt and Road Initiative serves as a tool for the Communist Party of China "to lock in crushing debt and undermine the sovereignty of countries across the continent."  He added that the United States has a unique opportunity to expand economic ties with African countries.

Comment: Expanding economic ties with Africa will be a real challenge as the Trump administration dismantles the US Agency for International Development, one of its most important foreign policy tools for engaging with African countries. 

US Diplomacy in Africa: When the System Fails in the Senate

 The Washington Post published on 17 November 2021 an article titled "Cruz's Blockade of Biden's Foreign Policy Appointees Is Hitting Africa the Hardest" by Tobi Raji, Theodoric Meyer, and Jacqueline Alemany. 

The Senate has not yet approved any Biden administration nominee as ambassador to an African country.  Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is blocking the confirmation of nominees in an effort to force the administration to reimpose sanctions on the company that overseas a gas pipeline project from Russia to Germany.  Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Josh Hawley of Missouri are also involved in the blockage of nominees.