African Union Commission Stands by Nigeria’s Sovereignty and Religious Freedom
The African Union Commission (AUC) has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Nigeria’s sovereignty, religious freedom, and the rule of law in response to recent statements from the United States. These statements suggested that Nigeria might be complicit in attacks against Christians and hinted at possible military action. The AUC emphasized the importance of diplomacy and constructive engagement over military threats.
In a press release issued on Friday via its official X account, the AUC underscored the need for external actors to respect Nigeria’s right to manage its internal affairs without interference. The statement highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing role as a valued member state of the African Union, contributing significantly to regional stability, counter-terrorism efforts, peacekeeping initiatives, and continental integration.
The commission stressed that any external engagement must uphold Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It reiterated that the AUC fully respects Nigeria’s sovereign right to manage its internal affairs, including security, religious freedom, and human rights, in line with its Constitution and international obligations.
Commitment to Protecting Freedom of Belief
Addressing concerns about alleged religious persecution, the AUC reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting freedom of belief. The release stated that the commission supports Nigeria’s repeated affirmation that its Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief, and that the government rejects all forms of religious persecution.
The AU also acknowledged the complex security challenges facing Nigeria, including violent extremism, banditry, communal clashes, and resource-based conflicts. It noted that these challenges affect citizens of all faiths and called for regional and international cooperation to strengthen capacities to protect citizens and uphold human rights.
Rejecting Simplistic Narratives
The AUC cautioned against portraying Nigeria’s security problems as religiously motivated, rejecting what it described as “divisive and simplistic” narratives. It warned that conflating all violence with a single religious-target narrative may hinder effective solutions and destabilize communities.
Urging diplomacy over military threats, the AUC appealed to international partners, including the United States, to adopt a cooperative approach. It urged external partners to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence sharing, and capacity-building partnerships while respecting Nigerian sovereignty. Resorting to unilateral threats of military intervention, it said, could undermine continental peace, regional stability, and AU norms for peaceful conflict management.
Supporting Nigeria Through Peace and Security Mechanisms
The AU reaffirmed its readiness to support Nigeria through peace and security mechanisms, capacity-building programs, and strategic partnerships. It concluded that the African Union Commission remains committed to supporting Member States in promoting peace, security, human rights, and development while upholding sovereignty and non-interference.
U.S. Statements and International Reactions
On November 1, former U.S. President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to draw up “options for possible military measures” against terrorist groups in Nigeria, claiming the move was aimed at protecting Christian communities. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova urged Washington to act responsibly and in line with international law.
“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms,” she said.
In a post on his Truth Social platform last Friday, Trump described Christianity in Nigeria as facing an “existential threat” from radical Islamist groups. He claimed that thousands of Christians are being killed and blamed radical Islamists for this mass slaughter. He designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” and pledged that his administration was “ready, willing, and able to protect our great Christian population around the world.”
Nigeria’s Response
In response, the Federal Government dismissed the allegations, with President Bola Tinubu reaffirming that Nigeria upholds religious freedom and protects the rights of all faiths.