The African Union Commission (AUC) has added its voice about religious freedoms in Nigeria, expressing concern over claims that President Bola Tinubu’s government is complicit in the killing of Christians in the northern part of the country.
"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 said in a press statement.
The commission, which is the administrative and executive arm of the African Union, defended 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," it added.
The African body, representing 55 African countries, stated that it categorically rejects any narrative that weaponizes religion or oversimplifies security challenges.
"Conflating all violence with a single religious-target narrative may hinder effective solutions and destabilize communities," the commission stated.
The AU's comments follow statements by the U.S. government about religious freedoms in the West African state. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut aid and hinted at attacking Islamic extremist groups that have been targeting Christians in the country.
Supported by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the U.S. administration has stated that it is ready to launch military attacks to completely eliminate terrorists in Nigeria.
Nigeria rejects religious persecution claims
Over the past week, there have been numerous reactions to the United States' statements about persecution of Christians in Nigeria and the ensuing U.S. response.
President Tinubu said Nigeria is facing major security issues, and that his government will work to eliminate terrorist actors in the country. In a Nov. 7 statement, Tinubu said the country has experienced terrorism for the last two decades, and he will not stop until the problem has been eliminated.
"We will decisively defeat terrorism and claim victory in this battle. Security is non-negotiable, and we will never compromise on this principle. With unwavering courage and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, we will prevail," he said. "To the brave men and women of our armed forces and intelligence community, united by purpose regardless of tribe or religion, who serve fearlessly, fight side by side and sometimes pay the ultimate price, we express our deepest gratitude. Your commitment is our strength in the fight against terror."
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said it was impossible for Christian persecution to occur at the hands of the government. Quoted by local media, Tuggar spoke against Trump's assertion that the government of Nigeria is encouraging the persecution of Christians.
"It’s impossible for there to be religious persecution that can be supported in any way, shape or form by the government of Nigeria at any level, whether federal, regional or local. It's impossible," Tuggar said.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, offered a similar perspective on the matter. He suggested that the country was facing a terrorism issue, not a Christian persecution issue.
Idris further stated that the country is winning the war on terror as it has seen a decline in terrorist activities over the past two years.
Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, wrote an open letter to Trump stating that his country is facing terrorism-related incidents, not religious ones. In his open letter, Keyamo stated that he was appointed by the president even though he is a Christian, and that the Nigerian government has many more Christians holding various positions.
"In fact, most of the security chiefs appointed by him are Christians, so it would be unthinkable to imagine them being complicit in the killing of fellow Christians in Nigeria,” Keyamo added. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, though a Muslim, is a known 'moderate' whose wife is a pastor of one of the biggest Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, and most of his children are practicing Christians."
He claimed that every leader, including the opposition, agreed that there was no religious persecution in Nigeria.
Keyamo appealed to Trump to assist the country in combating terrorism-related activities.
"We ask for collaboration,” he said. “We ask for frank and open dialogue at this time with your government. We ask that you broaden your sources of information at this time so as to get a balanced view of the happenings in Nigeria."
His sentiments were echoed by the AU's observation that the United States can engage with Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence sharing and capacity-building partnerships while respecting Nigerian sovereignty, rather than resorting to unilateral threats of military intervention.
