"What we see in Africa today is a kind of silent genocide or silent, brutal, savage war that is occurring in the shadows and all too often ignored by the international community… Christians are going to be targeted and destroyed…. That jihadist groups are in a position to take over not one, not two, but several countries in Africa – take over the whole country or most of several countries – is dangerous.

"It's very dangerous for the national security of the United States let alone the security of the poor people who are there – Christians or Muslims or whoever they are… [The goal of these jihadist groups is] eliminating Christian communities… [Muslims are] given a choice: ‘either join us or you too will face killing and annihilation.’ Christians, of course, are not going to be asked to join. Christians are going to be targeted and destroyed."

-- Former U.S. diplomat Alberto Miguel Fernandez