The African Union (AU) Commission has called on the United States to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and prioritise diplomatic dialogue as tensions rise over Washington’s renewed claims of religious persecution in the country.
The statement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and his warning of possible military action to eliminate Islamic terrorists.
The AU Commission said it had noted with concern recent statements by the U.S. alleging that the Nigerian government is complicit in the targeted killing of Christians and threatening military intervention.
According to the Commission, Nigeria faces complex security challenges that require coordinated regional and international support, not unilateral threats.
The AU rejected narratives that oversimplify Nigeria’s situation by attributing violence solely to religious motives. It said such perspectives could destabilise communities and hinder effective solutions.
The Commission stressed the need for responses that reflect the multifaceted nature of insecurity in the region.
The AU urged external partners, including the U.S., to prioritise diplomatic engagement, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building efforts, rather than issuing military threats.
It stated that these approaches are essential to strengthening the capacity of Nigeria and other African countries in dealing with insecurity.
The AU insisted that respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty is critical to maintaining peace across the continent. It reaffirmed that adherence to AU principles of peaceful conflict resolution remains the most effective path for addressing insecurity in Africa.
The statement reads, “The Commission notes with concern recent statements by the United States of America alleging that the Government of Nigeria is complicit in the targeted killing of Christians and threatening military action.
“The AUC emphasises that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a longstanding and valued Member State of the African Union, playing a key role in regional stability, counterterrorism, peacekeeping initiatives, and continental integration.
“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. Any external engagement must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.
“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, which could undermine continental peace, regional stability, and AU norms for peaceful conflict management.”
