African Union Urges Respect for Nigerian Sovereignty
The African Union Commission (AUC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of sovereignty, religious freedom, and the rule of law. It has also cautioned against any external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs. This comes after recent remarks from the United States that alleged the Nigerian government is complicit in the killing of Christians and threatened military action.
In a statement issued from its headquarters in Addis Ababa, the AUC expressed deep concern over these allegations. The Commission reiterated its unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, religious freedom, and the rule of law, as outlined in the African Union Constitutive Act and related instruments.
Nigeria is described as a “longstanding and valued Member State” of the African Union. It plays a key role in regional stability, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping initiatives, and continental integration. The Commission emphasized that Nigeria’s government retains the sovereign right to manage its internal affairs, including issues of security, religious freedom, and human rights, in line with its Constitution and international obligations.
“The AUC fully respects Nigeria’s sovereign right to manage its internal affairs,” the statement continued. “Any external engagement must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.”
The Commission also supported Nigeria’s position that its Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief. “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,” it said.
Addressing Security Challenges
Nigeria faces complex security challenges that affect citizens of all faiths. These include violent extremist groups, banditry, communal violence, and resource-based conflicts. The AUC acknowledged these challenges and called for stronger regional and international cooperation to help Nigeria and other African countries strengthen their capacity to respond to insecurity, protect all citizens, uphold human rights, and bring perpetrators of violence to justice.
The Commission rejected narratives that weaponise religion or oversimplify security challenges. It warned that conflating all violence with a single religious-target narrative may hinder effective solutions and destabilise communities.
Call for Diplomatic Engagement
In a direct appeal to Washington, the AUC urged the U.S. and other external partners to pursue constructive engagement with Abuja rather than unilateral threats. “AUC urges external partners, including the United States, to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building partnerships, while respecting Nigerian sovereignty rather than resorting to unilateral threats of military intervention,” the statement said.
It cautioned that such threats could undermine continental peace, regional stability, and AU norms for peaceful conflict management.
Commitment to Peace and Stability
Reiterating its broader mission, the AUC concluded, “The African Union Commission remains committed to supporting Member States in promoting peace, security, human rights, and development, while upholding sovereignty and non-interference.”
Key Points from the Statement
- The AUC reaffirms its commitment to sovereignty, non-interference, religious freedom, and the rule of law.
- Nigeria is recognized as a key player in regional stability and peacekeeping efforts.
- The AUC emphasizes the importance of respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty in all matters.
- The Commission supports Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and belief.
- Nigeria faces complex security challenges affecting all faiths, requiring regional and international cooperation.
- The AUC warns against narratives that oversimplify security issues and weaponize religion.
- It calls for diplomatic engagement with Nigeria instead of unilateral threats.
- The AUC remains dedicated to promoting peace, security, and development across the continent.