The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dismissed claims that terrorist attacks in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa are directed at Christians, insisting that victims of terrorism cut across all faiths.
In what appeared to be a direct response to recent comments by United States President, Donald Trump, who alleged a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and threatened military action, the regional body clarified that terrorist activities in the region do not discriminate on religious or ethnic grounds.
In a statement released on Monday, the ECOWAS Commission said extremist violence across the sub-region has affected Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other religions alike, stressing that the attackers’ motives are not faith-based but rooted in destabilising communities.
ECOWAS said, “Perpetrators of this violence target innocent civilians of all religious denominations, including Muslims, Christians, and adherents to other religions.
“As independent reports have confirmed over the years, terrorist-related violence does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity, or age.”
The commission expressed concern over what it described as attempts to distort the realities of the region’s insecurity, warning that such misinformation could aggravate tensions and undermine peace efforts.
ECOWAS firmly rejected the narrative of a religious genocide, describing it as “false and dangerous.”
“ECOWAS strongly rejects these false and dangerous claims that seek to deepen insecurity in communities and weaken social cohesion in the region,” the statement read.
The organisation noted that while the region continues to face terrorism and violent extremism, these acts are aimed at destabilising states and not eliminating any particular religious group.
The regional bloc urged the United Nations and international partners to support West African nations in their fight against terrorism rather than amplify divisive claims.
“ECOWAS calls on the whole world to stand by the countries in the region in their fight against terrorism that targets all communities,” the statement added.
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