The Economic Community of West African States has firmly rejected allegations of genocide in the region whilst urging international partners to support member states battling a surge in terrorist violence across West Africa.
The regional bloc, in a statement released on Tuesday, drew attention to escalating attacks by terrorist groups across several countries, including Nigeria, emphasising that the violence indiscriminately affects civilians regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.
“ECOWAS wishes to draw the attention of partners and the international community as a whole to the growing level of violence that terrorist groups of different colouration have perpetrated in some countries in the West African region, including Nigeria,” the statement read.
The organisation categorically dismissed claims circulating in public discourse that the attacks constitute genocide against any particular religious group, describing such assertions as “false and dangerous.”
“As independent reports have confirmed over the years, terrorist-related violence does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity or age,” ECOWAS stated.
The body called on the United Nations and international partners to continue supporting its member states in countering violent extremism, warning against divisive narratives that could undermine regional security and social cohesion.
“ECOWAS calls on the United Nations and all partners to support member states in their fight against these groups and to treat as false any claims that these terrorist groups target one group, or that there is a genocide of one religious group in the region,” the statement added.
The regional organisation stressed that combating terrorism requires collective action based on facts and solidarity rather than misleading claims that could deepen insecurity in affected communities.
“ECOWAS strongly rejects these false and dangerous claims that seek to deepen insecurity in communities and weaken social cohesion in the region,” it said.
The bloc appealed for global solidarity, stating: “ECOWAS calls on the whole world to stand by the countries in the region in their fight against terrorism that targets all communities.”
The statement follows recent tension between Nigeria and the United States after President Donald Trump, on 31st October, designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” alleging threats against Christian communities.
The Federal Government swiftly rejected the US claim, describing it as inconsistent with facts and reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to fighting violent extremism whilst protecting citizens and upholding religious freedom.
On 1st November, Trump reportedly issued a warning that the US would halt all assistance to Nigeria and could consider military action to eliminate what he termed Islamic terrorist groups if the Federal Government continued to “allow the killing of Christians.”
ECOWAS’s intervention underscores the regional body’s determination to counter divisive narratives whilst maintaining a united front against terrorism in West Africa.
