A terrorist group that is not recognized as such continues to kill Christians in Nigeria, without reaction from the rest of the world.
William Stark of International Christian Concern (ICC), one of the organizations keeping a close watch on the situation, tells OneNewsNow the United States has still not decided to label Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organization.
"That designation overall would impede Boko Haram's ability to transport weapons and funds over international borders," Stark explains. "So, all weapons or all assets essentially Boko Haram or people related to Boko Haram would own within U.S. jurisdiction would be automatically frozen."
That action, he says, might also motivate U.S. allies to do the same, which is why several Christian groups are lobbying the White House to take action. But an opposing effort is also afoot.
"The Nigerian government itself is lobbying for Boko Haram not to be labeled a foreign terrorist organization for various reasons -- one being that the Nigerian government is concerned that it will affect foreign direct investment," the ICC spokesman explains.
Another factor is that Boko Haram has infiltrated the government, military and police. But the lives of Christians are being lost to suicide bombings at churches and violent raids at church services; moderate Moslems who do not agree with the terrorist group have also been slaughtered.