—Reaffirmed support for Nigeria Sovereignty
iIPNEWS: Amid rising tension over U.S. threats of military action, the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s sovereignty, rejecting Washington’s allegations of religious persecution and threats of military intervention.
The African Union (AU) expressed serious concern over recent statements from the United States suggesting possible military intervention in Nigeria, following allegations that the Nigerian government has failed to protect Christian communities from violence.
In a statement issued late Friday and signed by ten senior AU commissioners, the bloc reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment” to sovereignty, non-interference, and religious freedom as enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act and related continental frameworks.
It also insisted on Nigeria’s sovereign right to manage its internal affairs in line with its Constitution and international obligations.
“Any external engagement must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity,” the AU said.
The statement followed remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Nigerian authorities of “complicity” in the killing of Christians and warned of possible “military action to defend religious freedom.”
Business Insider Africa reported that Mr. Trump had also designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and suspended arms sales and technical support for the country.
Although the Nigerian government has denied the claims, President Trump insists on them, while his administration has proceeded to draw up contingency plans for a possible military action.
The AU described such rhetoric as “dangerous and counterproductive.”
A
They are united in their belief that Nigeria’s internal affairs, including its security and religious freedom issues, must be managed by the Nigerian government itself and not be subject to unilateral threats. The support comes after comments from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting military action in Nigeria over religious freedom.
The AU Commission condemned any external threats against Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of the principles of sovereignty and non-interference. It called for diplomatic dialogue with partners like the U.S. and rejected any attempt to simplify Nigeria’s complex security challenges along religious lines, noting that violence affects people of all faiths.
For her part, ECOWAS has been a key partner in the region and is also supportive of Nigeria’s sovereignty. The recent agreements between Nigeria, the EU, and ECOWAS to boost local manufacturing, investment, and health in Nigeria and the West African region highlight the strong cooperation.
The European Union in it statement reaffirmed its respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and its partnership with the country. The EU supports Nigeria’s efforts to address its security challenges and advocates for a diplomatic approach, as evidenced by its continued engagement through partnerships and election observation missions.
The shared support for Nigeria’s sovereignty is a significant message to the international community, signaling a united front against external intervention and highlighting the importance of respecting the internal affairs of member states.
