The African Union Commission (AUC) has reaffirmed its strong support for Nigeria’s sovereignty, rule of law, and religious freedom, firmly dismissing recent allegations by the United States that the Nigerian government is complicit in the targeted killing of Christians or faces possible military action.
In a detailed statement released on Thursday, the AUC emphasized Nigeria’s vital role within the African Union and described the country as a cornerstone for regional stability, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and continental integration.
“Nigeria is a longstanding and valued member state that plays a critical role in regional stability, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping and continental integration,” the Commission stated.
The AU cautioned that Washington’s claims risk oversimplifying Nigeria’s complex security challenges and could fuel misunderstanding among communities. It noted that the country continues to grapple with multiple threats including violent extremism, banditry, communal clashes, and resource-based conflicts that impact citizens across all religious lines.
The AUC urged global partners to adopt a cooperative approach focused on intelligence-sharing, capacity-building, and diplomatic engagement rather than issuing unilateral military threats.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s constitutional protection of religious freedom, the AU rejected any suggestion of state-backed persecution and pledged continued assistance through its peace and security framework.
The Commission further warned that external military threats could breach the AU’s foundational principles of non-interference and territorial integrity, potentially destabilizing the continent.
“The African Union remains committed to supporting all member states in promoting peace, security, human rights, and development while upholding the sacred principles of sovereignty and non-interference,” the statement concluded.
African Union Defends Nigeria’s Sovereignty, Rejects U.S. Allegations of Religious Persecution
