AU, ECOWAS, EU Close Ranks as U.S. Military Threats Against Nigeria Trigger Diplomatic Outrage
Tensions escalated over the weekend following renewed warnings from the United States about a possible military intervention in Nigeria, a development that has triggered strong pushback from Africa’s leading regional and continental institutions.
The African Union (AU), in a late-Friday communiqué obtained by PulseNets, expressed deep concern over the U.S. posture, particularly statements suggesting that Washington may deploy force over allegations that Nigerian authorities have failed to protect Christian communities. The AU leadership reaffirmed what it called its “unwavering commitment” to sovereignty, non-interference, and religious freedom, principles embedded in the AU Constitutive Act and other continental instruments.
According to the statement, Nigeria retains the full sovereign authority to manage its domestic affairs “in accordance with its Constitution and its international obligations.” It stressed that “any external engagement must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.”
The AU’s intervention follows remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused the Nigerian government of complicity in the killing of Christians and hinted at possible “military action to defend religious freedom.” PulseNets learnt that Mr. Trump’s team has also designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) while halting arms transfers and technical defence cooperation.
Although Abuja has dismissed the allegations, Mr. Trump maintains his stance, and his aides have reportedly begun drafting contingency options for military involvement. AU officials characterised such rhetoric as “dangerous and counterproductive,” cautioning that external militarisation of Nigeria’s internal challenges threatens regional stability.
While acknowledging that Nigeria faces terrorism, banditry, and communal violence, AU commissioners urged international partners to prioritise capacity-building, intelligence support, and peacebuilding initiatives instead of coercive threats. They further warned that “reducing Nigeria’s complex security landscape to a religious narrative risks inflaming tensions and obstructing sustainable solutions.”
Regional and International Pushback Intensifies
In a related development, ECOWAS on Tuesday issued a strong rejection of the U.S. allegations. A senior official who spoke to PulseNets described the claims as “false, inflammatory, and harmful to regional cohesion.”
The bloc, currently chaired by Nigeria’s president, emphasised that terrorist groups operating in West Africa attack citizens of all religions, stressing that there is no evidence of a targeted genocide against Christians. ECOWAS called on the United Nations and other global partners to support ongoing counter-terrorism measures while “treating as false narratives suggesting deliberate targeting of any single religious group.”
The European Union (EU) has also weighed in. In a statement by its ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, the EU reaffirmed its support for Nigeria and condemned attempts to frame the country’s security crisis through sectarian lenses. Mignot stated,
“We stand with victims of violence, with authorities striving to protect citizens, and with the Nigerian people who overwhelmingly desire peaceful coexistence beyond ethnic and religious divisions. The European Union respects Nigeria’s sovereignty and its constitutional dedication to religious neutrality.”
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He added that the EU is prepared to expand cooperation on peace, security, and defence, and would continue engagements with civil society, traditional leaders, and religious stakeholders to strengthen communal resilience.
