The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dismissed allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria as false and divisive, warning that such claims could fuel insecurity and destabilize the region.
In a statement on Tuesday, ECOWAS said terrorist attacks in West Africa target people of all faiths — Muslims, Christians, and others — without discrimination. The bloc urged the United Nations and global partners to ignore misleading narratives and continue supporting member states in the fight against terrorism.
ECOWAS reaffirmed solidarity with countries battling insurgency in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin and called for stronger international cooperation.
The statement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Christians were being massacred in Nigeria and his threat to suspend aid or take military action. The Nigerian government has denied any genocide, stressing that terrorism affects citizens of all religions.
