The African Union Commission (AUC) has formally rejected remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening possible military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
In a statement released on Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Commission reaffirmed that Nigeria is a sovereign and independent nation, and its internal affairs must be respected.
The AUC expressed concern over what it described as “external threats and unfounded allegations” targeting a member state.
The statement highlighted Nigeria’s key role in regional stability, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and continental integration, emphasizing that engagement with Nigeria, or any African nation, must honor sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.
“The African Union fully respects Nigeria’s right to manage its internal affairs, including security, religious freedom, and human rights, in accordance with its Constitution and international commitments,” the AUC said.
The Commission also backed Nigeria’s repeated assurances that freedom of religion is protected under the Constitution, noting that the government has consistently rejected any form of religious persecution.
It cautioned against conflating all violence with a single religious narrative, warning that doing so could hinder solutions and destabilize communities.
While advocating for international cooperation to strengthen peace and security, the AU stressed that unilateral threats or interventions by external powers could undermine stability on the continent.
“The AUC urges external partners, including the United States, to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building, rather than military threats, which would weaken peace efforts and contradict principles of peaceful conflict management,” the statement read.
The Commission reaffirmed its readiness to assist Nigeria through peace and security mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives, reiterating its commitment to homegrown African solutions to the continent’s challenges.
“The African Union Commission remains steadfast in supporting Member States to promote peace, human rights, and development while upholding sovereignty and non-interference,” it concluded.
