The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has described recent claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria as false and dangerous.
In a communiqué issued on Tuesday, the regional bloc observed that such allegations are intended to fuel insecurity and undermine social cohesion across the region.
It stated that terrorist groups operating in parts of West Africa, including Nigeria, have targeted civilians of various faiths without discrimination.
ECOWAS urged the United Nations and other international partners to disregard what it called misleading claims and to continue supporting West African governments in combating terrorism.
“ECOWAS strongly rejects these false and divisive narratives that seek to deepen insecurity in communities and weaken social cohesion in the region,” the communiqué added.
The regional body restated its support for member states facing insurgent violence and called for global solidarity in addressing terrorism in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.
The statement from ECOWAS follows remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were being massacred in Nigeria.
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