Bernard-Henri Lévy Accused of Reviving “Genocide” Narrative in Nigeria Amid U.S. Tensions
French philosopher and political activist Bernard-Henri Lévy, who played a prominent role in advocating for Western military intervention in Libya in 2011, is once again drawing attention — this time for his renewed focus on Nigeria’s security crisis.
Recent reports allege that Lévy is attempting to revive the controversial “Christian genocide” narrative, echoing tactics similar to those used during the Libyan uprising over a decade ago.
Lévy, a longtime critic of extremism in Africa and the Middle East, has been accused by some observers of promoting narratives that could inflame international interventionist sentiment. In 2011, he was instrumental in rallying Western leaders, particularly then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to support Libya’s anti-Gaddafi rebels — a move that ultimately led to NATO’s military action and the eventual collapse of the Libyan government.
According to political analysts, Lévy’s latest commentary on Nigeria follows a familiar pattern. Through articles and statements, he has highlighted alleged persecution of Christians in northern Nigeria, warning of what he describes as “systematic massacres” by militant groups.
In a 2019 essay, Lévy questioned whether “history will repeat itself in Nigeria,” comparing the situation to pre-intervention Libya.
However, Nigerian authorities and several international researchers reject the “genocide” framing, insisting that the violence in the country is multifaceted — rooted in terrorism, rural conflicts, and economic grievances rather than purely religious motivations.
They caution that mischaracterizing the crisis risks undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty and could provoke unnecessary foreign interference.
While Lévy has not publicly called for military action, his recent re-emergence in the debate coincides with growing tensions between Nigeria and the United States
U.S. President Donald Trump recently accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians, even threatening possible intervention — a statement that Abuja firmly dismissed as misleading and inflammatory.
Security analysts warn that the convergence of these narratives — Lévy’s renewed commentary and U.S. political rhetoric — could shape international perceptions of Nigeria’s internal security struggles.
The Nigerian government, under National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, has already begun an information campaign to counter such claims, emphasizing that Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations are ongoing and religion-neutral.
As of now, there is no concrete evidence that Lévy is coordinating an organized campaign similar to his efforts in Libya.
Nonetheless, his involvement has reignited debate about the role of Western intellectuals and foreign politicians in framing African conflicts — and how such narratives can influence global policy toward the continent.
