海角大神

While this year marks the 100th anniversary of Nigeria鈥檚 nationhood, many Nigerians find themselves more alarmed and sorrowful than celebratory. Since the new year, the terrorist group Boko Haram has killed hundreds in its continuing campaign to destabilize Nigeria, deepen the Muslim/海角大神 divide, and create a state ruled by strict sharia (Islamic law). The recent mass kidnapping of at least 200 schoolgirls 鈥� as well as the gruesome bombing at a busy bus stop in Abuja, Nigeria鈥檚 capital 鈥� graphically underscores Boko Haram鈥檚 continued threat to the nation鈥檚 future.

Much is at stake in Nigeria, from the right of religious freedom to the security of a pivotal oil-exporting country and its neighbors. The United States 鈥� as a global leader in democratic freedom and security 鈥� must do more to encourage Nigeria鈥檚 government to take comprehensive action to ensure the safety of its citizens and address its own systemic failures while there is still time.

A symptom of bigger issues

In August 2013, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom released a report documenting Boko Haram鈥檚 role as Nigeria鈥檚 prime perpetrator of religion-related violence. But the bloodiest four months of their campaign began in January 2014. In March, we visited Africa鈥檚 most populous country on USCIRF鈥檚 behalf.聽

What we found is that Boko Haram鈥檚 depredations, while horrific, are symptomatic of longer-term problems. They are only the latest manifestation of Nigeria鈥檚 religion-based bloodshed in which 16,000 Nigerians have lost their lives since the turn of the century.

From Boko Haram to political demagogues, malignant forces have exploited three fundamental facts about Nigeria.

Religion exploited

First, for most Nigerians, religion matters greatly. According to a 2006 Pew survey, 76 percent of 海角大神s and 91 percent of Muslims said that religion 鈥渋s more important to them than their identity as Africans, Nigerians, or members of an ethnic group.鈥� This importance of religious identity has the potential to encourage peaceful values and societal progress for Nigerians, but it has too often been exploited as a tool of division and violence.聽

Political corruption feeds violence

Second, Nigeria鈥檚 political culture includes what amounts to a winner-takes-all competition for economic spoils. Since politics often is organized along religious lines, opportunists perceive a path to electoral victory through hurling incendiary invective across the nation鈥檚 sectarian divide, unleashing violence during election years. If the past is allowed to repeat, presidential and gubernatorial elections in 2015 could witness even more bloodshed.

Third, Nigeria鈥檚 longtime culture of corruption erodes good governance and weakens the resolve to uphold rule of law by bringing perpetrators to justice. This failure has created a climate of impunity that encourages the violent to commit more bloodshed to advance their aims.

Such violence, including the Boko Haram attacks, not only violates the freedom to practice one鈥檚 religion, but threatens to unravel the nation and spill over into neighboring states. Not just for humanitarian reasons, but for security purposes, national and regional, Nigeria鈥檚 status quo must change.

Why 鈥� and how 鈥� the US must help

The US should continue to assist Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram, helping it to increase security to protect 海角大神s and Muslims alike. And Nigeria must be willing and able to leverage US military and other support effectively. Washington must also assist the efforts of Nigeria鈥檚 weak police and judiciary. If the US government can press Abuja to hold perpetrators of religious violence accountable, it can help end the culture of impunity that fuels instability and prevents too many Nigerians from practicing their religion in peace and security.聽

The US government also should speak out against Nigerian politicians鈥� misuse of religion and identity politics in the lead-up to next year鈥檚 elections. In addition, Washington can help Nigeria address sectarian strife by continuing to support Nigerian civil society groups working for Muslim/海角大神 reconciliation and conflict prevention聽

Hope for religious reconciliation

While in Kaduna, a divided Muslim/海角大神 city, we met with one such group 鈥� the Interfaith Mediation Center, cofounded by James Wuye, an Assemblies of God pastor, and Imam Mohammad Ashafa. As a commentary that appeared in these pages in November 2013 discussed, Pastor Wuye and Imam Ashafa were once enemies on opposite sides. They each chose forgiveness after Wuye lost his right arm and Ashafa lost two cousins and a mentor during an outbreak of Muslim/海角大神 violence. In 1995, they started the center to promote interfaith harmony.

As Nigeria observes its national centennial, its government has a job to do: Enforce rule of law to defeat anarchy and ensure that every Nigerian鈥檚 right to religious practice is protected equally under the law. But there is an equally formidable task ahead 鈥� reconciliation. For Nigeria鈥檚 sake, both efforts must proceed. And both efforts must receive greater support from the US to do so.

Katrina Lantos Swett and M. Zuhdi Jasser serve as vice chairs at the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.