Soyinka: Nigeria’s crisis not Christian-Muslim war but battle against extremists

Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate, has reacted to comments made by United States President Donald Trump over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Trump had asked the US Department of Defence to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria while warning the Nigerian government to act swiftly to end the “killing of Christians” in the country.

The federal government has, however, rejected Trump’s allegations, insisting that the country’s insecurity affects all religious groups.

Speaking during an interview with Democracy Now, Soyinka said Trump’s sweeping statements distort the true picture of the conflict and risk deepening religious hostilities.

He said the situation should not be seen as a war between Christians and Muslims, but as a struggle against extremist groups that have weaponised religion for political and economic gain.

“We must separate Nigeria’s long-standing internal problems from President Trump’s recent response,” he said.

“The Christian–Islam, or Islam-versus-the-rest kind of dichotomy has existed for decades. It became truly horrendous when politics got mixed up with religious differences.”

Soyinka said political leaders had exploited religion for power and failed to hold extremists accountable, which allowed impunity to thrive.

He recalled the brutal lynching of a student accused of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad, noting that her killers went unpunished despite being caught on video bragging about the act.

“When perpetrators of such horrors go free, it strengthens the perception that a brutal war is going on between Christians and Muslims,” Soyinka said.

“In truth, we are dealing with extremists — political Islamists, known sometimes as ISWAP or Boko Haram — not with Muslims as a people.”

The playwright added that the extremist groups had formed alliances with global terrorist networks, gaining access to sophisticated weapons that sometimes overwhelmed Nigeria’s military.

He also faulted Nigeria’s past leaders for failing to decisively tackle violent fundamentalism.

“When we have sweeping statements like Trump’s, it doesn’t make things easier. It expands the regions of hostility and makes peaceful resolution even more difficult.”

‘HE SHOULD BE FLATTERED I COMPARED HIM TO IDI AMIN’

Soyinka noted that his US visa was revoked because of his criticism of Trump’s administration.

“I have a feeling that I haven’t been flattering Donald Trump — and I see no reason to do that,” he said.

The Nobel laureate said Trump should feel “flattered” that he once compared him to Idi Amin, the former Ugandan head of state.

“Trump has said he likes war — I’m quoting him. Idi Amin was a man of war and brutality,” Soyinka said.

“Idi Amin even called himself the last king of Scotland. He claimed he was going to liberate Scotland from the British.”