The United States Mission in Nigeria is under fire following a controversial post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, which featured a meeting between U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr., and members of the Mi-Yetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
The post, shared by the U.S. Mission, read: “Today, Ambassador Mills met with the Mi-Yetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to hear about the concerns of herder communities. The meeting included discussion of the causes of insecurity and opportunities to peacefully resolve conflict.”
While the post aimed to show diplomatic engagement, it quickly sparked outrage among Nigerians. The photo showing Ambassador Mills with top MACBAN members was met with criticism, with many accusing the U.S. of appearing to align with a group that has been blamed for violence and unrest in the country.
The farmers-herders conflict in Nigeria, which has raged for years, has claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless others. The Middle Belt and southern regions have been particularly affected, with clashes between herders and farmers often resulting in deadly violence. MACBAN, which represents the interests of cattle breeders in Nigeria, has frequently been linked to the herders involved in these deadly clashes.
Social media users quickly voiced their displeasure with the U.S. Embassy’s post. One commenter stated, “How can the US support a group linked to violence and destruction of farmers’ lives and property? This is a dangerous message.” Another remarked, “What is the US doing meeting with a group that has been part of the problem? It feels like they are taking sides.”
Others questioned the choice of MACBAN as a partner in peace talks. “There are victims in this conflict, but it seems the US is ignoring them by focusing on just one side,” said another comment.
The meeting, which was intended to open dialogue on the causes of insecurity in Nigeria, has been criticized for seeming to lend legitimacy to MACBAN, an organization often accused of defending herders who are blamed for attacks on farming communities. While MACBAN’s leadership has called for peaceful solutions, critics argue that its actions and some of its members’ involvement in violence against farmers cannot be overlooked.
Ambassador Mills, in his comments, highlighted that the meeting was meant to hear the concerns of herder communities, especially as the country faces mounting insecurity. However, the backlash highlights the sensitive nature of the ongoing conflict and the distrust between farmers and herders, as well as between local communities and external actors.
The farmers-herders conflict in Nigeria has led to calls for better government intervention, with many advocating for stronger measures to protect rural farming communities. Critics of the meeting fear that the U.S. involvement with MACBAN could send the wrong signal to Nigerians who have suffered from the violence.
As the controversy continues to grow, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has yet to respond to the intense criticism. Many Nigerians are now calling for a more balanced approach that includes the voices of the victims of herders’ violence.
