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Nigerian Christian leaders 'hampered Boko Haram fight' | Nigerian Christian leaders 'hampered Boko Haram fight' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Christian leaders in Nigeria undermined efforts to combat the threat of Boko Haram by failing to engage in dialogue with Muslims, a senior Anglican church leader has told the BBC. | Christian leaders in Nigeria undermined efforts to combat the threat of Boko Haram by failing to engage in dialogue with Muslims, a senior Anglican church leader has told the BBC. |
Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, who is Nigerian, said Christians had feared the country was being "Islamised". | Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, who is Nigerian, said Christians had feared the country was being "Islamised". |
They had believed Muslims leaders were supporting the militants, he said. | They had believed Muslims leaders were supporting the militants, he said. |
Boko Haram had targeted both Muslims and Christians in its bid to impose Islamic law in northern Nigeria. | Boko Haram had targeted both Muslims and Christians in its bid to impose Islamic law in northern Nigeria. |
The group has killed some 10,000 people since it began its insurgency in 2009 and has also kidnapped hundreds of girls and women. | The group has killed some 10,000 people since it began its insurgency in 2009 and has also kidnapped hundreds of girls and women. |
Last year, the militants seized a huge area of the north-east, before being beaten back by a regional coalition, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger. | Last year, the militants seized a huge area of the north-east, before being beaten back by a regional coalition, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger. |
The BBC's John McManus says Archbishop Idowu-Fearon, who is the new secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, has a strong reputation for promoting dialogue between Christians and Muslims. | The BBC's John McManus says Archbishop Idowu-Fearon, who is the new secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, has a strong reputation for promoting dialogue between Christians and Muslims. |
But the archbishop told our correspondent that efforts to maintain unity were undermined by some fellow Christians who failed to engage wit their Muslim counterparts. | But the archbishop told our correspondent that efforts to maintain unity were undermined by some fellow Christians who failed to engage wit their Muslim counterparts. |
"We warned the leadership in my country, the Christian Association of Nigeria: 'Let us listen to the Muslim leadership, because the leadership is not in support of Boko Haram.' | "We warned the leadership in my country, the Christian Association of Nigeria: 'Let us listen to the Muslim leadership, because the leadership is not in support of Boko Haram.' |
"'Oh no no no,' they said, 'they are always deceiving us. They are all the same,'" he said. | "'Oh no no no,' they said, 'they are always deceiving us. They are all the same,'" he said. |
But the archbishop said attitudes had now changed after so many lives had been killed. | But the archbishop said attitudes had now changed after so many lives had been killed. |
"Now they are singing a different tune... I tell you more Muslims have been killed than Christians in the north-east of Nigeria." | "Now they are singing a different tune... I tell you more Muslims have been killed than Christians in the north-east of Nigeria." |
Analysis: John McManus, BBC News | |
Perhaps it is no surprise that Archbishop Idowu-Fearon decided to leave Nigeria and take up his new role as secretary-general of the Anglican Communion. | |
From his own admission, his attempts to promote unity between Christians and Muslims in the face of Boko Haram's attacks were not always welcome. | |
And his opposition to Nigeria's new anti-homosexuality laws put him at odds with many people of faith, including most of his own Church hierarchy. | |
The archbishop though, is resolute, telling me he would not be dissuaded, even by a statement from the church of Nigeria which distanced itself from him when his new appointment was announced. | |
In his new role, he certainly has a lot of influence - and responsibility - to steer the troubled Anglican communion's 85 million Christians through some choppy theological waters. | |
But in seeking to promote inter-faith dialogue, and reconcile different cultural attitudes to homosexuality, the archbishop has to inspire confidence in Anglicans not only in Africa, but also in North America and Europe - people with very different lives. That is a tough job description for anybody. | |
In the latest suspected Boko Haram attack, at least 28 people were killed at a crowded market in Borno state on Tuesday. | In the latest suspected Boko Haram attack, at least 28 people were killed at a crowded market in Borno state on Tuesday. |
The blast at Jagol GSM market in Sabon Gari town also injured 79 people, 47 of whom were in a critical condition, according to Nigeria's National Emergency Agency. | The blast at Jagol GSM market in Sabon Gari town also injured 79 people, 47 of whom were in a critical condition, according to Nigeria's National Emergency Agency. |
President Muhammadu Buhari was elected in March, partly on a pledge to defeat Boko Haram. Since he took power in May, more than 800 people have been killed, mainly in suicide attacks. | President Muhammadu Buhari was elected in March, partly on a pledge to defeat Boko Haram. Since he took power in May, more than 800 people have been killed, mainly in suicide attacks. |
Boko Haram at a glance | Boko Haram at a glance |
Why Boko Haram remains a threat | Why Boko Haram remains a threat |
Who are Boko Haram? | Who are Boko Haram? |