Iranian Affairs Researcher to Voice of America: 'Islamic Movement of Nigeria' is a Proxy of the Islamic Republic

The Iranian government views the group known as the 'Islamic Movement of Nigeria', led by Ibrahim Zakzaky, as its proxy in Nigeria. This was stated by Danny Citrinowicz, an Iranian affairs researcher at the 'National Strategic Studies Institute' of Israel and a non-resident fellow at the American think tank Atlantic Council, in an interview with the Persian section of Voice of America. Nigerian authorities have declared the activities of the 'Islamic Movement of Nigeria' illegal. On Sunday, the Nigerian police accused this group, which is supported by the Islamic Republic, of killing two police officers in Abuja, the capital, and injuring three others who became unconscious due to their injuries and are hospitalized. Citrinowicz told Voice of America that even if the Islamic Republic did not order this killing, its economic support for the 'Islamic Movement of Nigeria' and its leader, Zakzaky, makes the Iranian government responsible for this group's actions against the Nigerian government. He added that the most significant type of support from the Islamic Republic for Zakzaky's group, which is referred to as 'Sheikh Zakzaky' in Iranian media, is 'ideological' support. According to Citrinowicz, the Islamic Republic also financially supports independent educational systems in Nigeria and other initiatives, in addition to utilizing its television networks dedicated to Africa. He also mentioned that there are reports that the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is providing military training and weapon support to members of the 'Islamic Movement of Nigeria'. This Iranian affairs expert added that the Iranian government also utilizes members of this group to build underground networks, similar to its use of other proxy groups. Citrinowicz explained why the Islamic Republic supports a group in a country far from Iran despite its many problems, stating that since the early days of the 'Islamic Revolution', Africa has been a continent of interest for the Islamic Republic for various reasons. He noted that the Islamic Republic sees an 'ideological bond' with many African countries due to a shared desire to fight against Western countries. Citrinowicz stated that the Islamic Republic also aims to 'protect' the large Shia minority across Africa and seeks to exploit the continent's resources to meet its needs. He added that these reasons, along with Africa's geographical proximity to the Middle East, create a special attraction for this continent among the leaders of the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, led by Zakzaky, has close ties with the Iranian government and has been declared illegal following conflicts with the secular Nigerian government since 2019. According to AFP, Zakzaky was released in the summer of 2021 after five years of imprisonment, and he has repeatedly called for an Islamic revolution in Nigeria similar to the Islamic revolution in Iran. Nigeria, with an approximate population of 220 million, is the most populous country in Africa. Muslims make up about half of the country's population, with Shia being a minority. The Iranian-backed Shia group killed two police officers in Nigeria. A human rights activist called for the 'immediate release' of a Shia cleric imprisoned in Nigeria. A Nigerian Shia group claims that at least 20 of its members were killed in recent protests. The Iranian Foreign Minister began his African trip by visiting Nigeria.