News In Diaspora
US Reps Passes Fresh Bill Against Fulani Militias, Kwankwaso
United States lawmakers have initiated a new bill aimed at increasing accountability for human rights abuses in Nigeria.
The legislation, Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, contains provision for potential sanctions against Fulani militias and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The lawmakers claimed that the proposed legislation seeks to strengthen the impact of previous US actions in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a post on X by US Congressman, Riley Moore.
“Today, I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Rep. Chris Smith,” Moore said.
Moore, a Republican, emphasised the US the government’s commitment to global religious freedom, adding, “The US is a Christian nation. As such, we must stand with persecuted Christians around the world.”
He further noted that the legislation will build upon the momentum of President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and the recent US-Nigeria security framework agreement.
Meanwhile, Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom, Sean Nelson, praised the new legislation, saying, “Powerhouse team of Representatives Chris Smith and Rep Riley Moore Today introduced a new bill on religious freedom in Nigeria increasing accountability measures, including recommendations for sanctions against Fulani militias and former Kano State Governor Kwankwaso, who introduced Sharia criminal law there.”
The legislation comes amid growing international attention on the rise of sectarian violence in Nigeria.
The bill specifically recommends sanctions against armed groups accused of perpetrating violence, and government figures who have enacted or supported laws that critics say infringe on religious freedoms.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his readiness for one-on-one talks with President Vladimir Putin to work out a permanent ceasefire to end the Ukraine war.
Zelensky reiterated the commitment on Wednesday at a press conference alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the first NATO-Ukraine Council meeting.
“I’m ready for direct negotiations with Putin to end this war,” he said in Kyiv. “Rather than wait while everybody finishes all the conflicts in the world.”
Zelensky noted that ballistic missiles are Russia’s “last argument” in the war, confirming his country has been responding with the American-made Patriot systems.
The leader insists the recent strikes by Ukraine were justified, as they were carried out in response to the Russian attacks on its territory.
“If they continue using drones and missiles against us, we will be doing the same,” Zelensky vowed. “But we respond exclusively against oil refineries or justified military targets.”
The President, however, hinted that the greatest threat Ukraine currently faces is Russia’s capability to produce up to 120 ballistic missiles per month.
Rutte praised Ukraine for its resilience, saying the nation has become so successful that Putin was only able to organize the May 9 parade with an official presidential decree by Zelensky.
Iran has warned residents in northern Israel to leave their homes if Israel follows through on its threat to attack Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The warning was issued by Iran’s central military command and reported by the state-run IRNA news agency.
According to the statement, the message was a response to an Israeli military evacuation order issued for Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut.
The commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said residents in northern Israel should evacuate in the event of an Israeli strike on the area, signalling a further escalation in tensions between the two sides.
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