Market News

BY  Olamilekan Okebiorun

Amid rising tension over U.S. threats of military action, the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s sovereignty, rejecting Washington’s allegations of religious persecution and threats of military intervention.

• The African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the European Union (EU) reaffirmed support for Nigeria's sovereignty, dismissing recent U.S. allegations of religious persecution.
• The AU emphasized Nigeria's sovereign rights and commitment to handle its internal matters as per its Constitution and international obligations.
• The European Union expressed solidarity with Nigeria, emphasizing support for its governance and peaceful coexistence of its populace.
• ECOWAS disputed claims of religious-targeted terrorism, highlighting that violence affects all communities in the region uniformly.

The African Union (AU) has expressed serious concern over recent statements from the United States suggesting possible military intervention in Nigeria, following allegations that the Nigerian government has failed to protect Christian communities from violence.

In a statement issued late Friday and signed by ten senior AU commissioners, the bloc reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment” to sovereignty, non-interference, and religious freedom as enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act and related continental frameworks.

It also insisted on Nigeria’s sovereign right to manage its internal affairs in line with its Constitution and international obligations.

“Any external engagement must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity,” the AU said.

The statement followed remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Nigerian authorities of “complicity” in the killing of Christians and warned of possible “military action to defend religious freedom.”

Business Insider Africa reported that Mr. Trump had also designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and suspended arms sales and technical support for the country.

Although the Nigerian government has denied the claims, President Trump insists on them, while his administration has proceeded to draw up contingency plans for a possible military action.

The AU described such rhetoric as “dangerous and counterproductive.”

While acknowledging Nigeria’s complex security environment, including terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts, the regional bloc urged partners to assist Abuja through capacity-building, intelligence cooperation, and peacebuilding initiatives rather than coercive measures.

It warned that “simplifying these multifaceted challenges through a religious lens risks inflaming tensions and undermining long-term solutions.”

The AU emphasized Nigeria's sovereign rights and commitment to handle its internal matters as per its Constitution and international obligations.

Regional and International Reactions

On Tuesday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) voiced its concern and said it “strongly” rejected U.S. allegations that Nigeria allowed terrorists to kill Christians.

The bloc dismissed the “false and dangerous claims that seek to deepen insecurity in communities and weaken social cohesion in the region.”

ECOWAS, recently chaired by the Nigerian President, emphasised that terror attacks in West Africa targeted civilians of all faiths and called on the United Nations and international partners to support counter-terrorism efforts while “treating as false any claims that these terrorist groups target one group, or that there is a genocide of one religious group in the region.”

ECOWAS disputed claims of religious-targeted terrorism, highlighting that violence affects all communities in the region uniformly.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU), through its ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, affirmed solidarity with Nigeria. He said,

“Solidarity with the victims of violence, with the authorities working to protect citizens, and with the Nigerian people who overwhelmingly desire peaceful coexistence beyond ethnic and religious divides. We respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional commitment to religious neutrality.”

Mignot added that the EU was ready to deepen cooperation in peace, security, and defence, and to continue dialogue with civil society, as well as traditional and religious leaders.