By David AllGreen
When the United States designates a nation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), it is not an impulsive diplomatic gesture. Such an action follows an exhaustive process of intelligence gathering, inter-agency consultations, and strategic assessment. When Washington takes that step, or even hints at military intervention, it means that all other diplomatic options have been weighed and found insufficient.
To the untrained observer, these declarations may appear as distant political theatre. But in reality, they mark the culmination of years of surveillance and policy analysis. The U.S. does not act without cause. A CPC designation means that a country’s internal crises have begun to pose a serious threat to regional stability, global peace, or to American interests abroad.
Intelligence Before Action
Long before the public hears of such a decision, the American intelligence community, particularly the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), working alongside Interpol and other allied agencies, would have built a detailed map of the situation. This process often starts quietly. Local investigative journalism, civil-society reports, academic research, and data from international NGOs provide the first indicators. Over time, these fragments are combined to form a precise intelligence picture.
By the time a country reaches the CPC list, the US already knows the networks, financiers, and political enablers behind the problem. It means individuals, companies, and even government officials who have aided terrorism, human-rights abuses, or corruption are already identified and profiled. The machinery of accountability has already been set in motion.
The Nigerian Context
If Nigeria ever finds itself under such scrutiny, it should not be seen as a political attack but as a serious international warning. The world is paying attention to the unchecked growth of insecurity, violent extremism, and systemic injustice. For those who have profited from or enabled these vices, whether through financing, logistics, or silent complicity, this is a wake-up call.
History shows that when the United States acts, it does so with precision. Its sanctions, travel bans, and asset freezes are rarely symbolic. They are targeted, effective, and supported by credible evidence. Those who have spilled the blood of innocent Nigerians, or supported such acts in any form, must understand that global justice mechanisms may take time, but they are relentless.
The greater risk, however, is not just for individuals. It is for Nigeria’s image, economy, and diplomatic standing. A CPC declaration can reduce investor confidence, threaten bilateral aid, and weaken international cooperation. In today’s interconnected world, perception shapes reality. Once a country is branded as unstable or complicit in rights violations, the consequences extend far beyond politics.
The Policy Imperative
This is a time for sober reflection and bold action. Nigeria must strengthen its domestic accountability systems, address corruption in the security sector, and ensure that justice is not selective. Our leaders must show that we are capable of confronting our internal problems before external actors intervene on our behalf.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should intensify diplomatic engagement and communication with international partners. Likewise, the Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Defence must demonstrate measurable progress in prosecuting those who fund or enable violence. Development cannot coexist with impunity.
Conclusion
When America speaks, the world listens, not merely because of its power, but because its declarations are rarely baseless. A Country of Particular Concern designation is not just a warning; it is a mirror reflecting where governance and accountability have failed.
Nigeria must not wait for the world to act for us. We must act now, decisively, transparently, and sincerely, to protect our nation’s dignity, stability, and future.
David AllGreen is a filmmaker, public affairs analyst, and social impact advocate
