The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has firmly dismissed recent allegations of religious genocide in the subregion, describing the claims as “baseless, inflammatory, and contrary to the facts on the ground.”
In a statement released on Saturday by the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, the regional body said there was no evidence to support reports suggesting systematic attacks or state-sponsored persecution against any religious group within West Africa.
The clarification comes amid growing global attention following remarks attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had reportedly accused some African governments including Nigeria of allowing widespread violence against Christian communities.
According to ECOWAS, such claims risk deepening sectarian divisions and undermining regional peace efforts at a time when West African states are jointly confronting challenges of terrorism, banditry, and intercommunal conflict.
“ECOWAS strongly rejects any characterization of the West African region as a theatre of religious genocide. Our member states remain committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens regardless of faith or belief,” the statement read.
The regional bloc emphasized that ongoing violence in parts of Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is driven largely by non-religious factors such as competition for land, poverty, and the activities of extremist groups seeking to destabilize governments.
It added that conflating these security issues with religion could derail coordinated counterterrorism operations and hinder humanitarian assistance in affected areas.
“The Commission urges international partners and the global media to exercise restraint and verify information before making statements capable of inciting tension or distorting the reality of West Africa’s complex security landscape,” ECOWAS said.
The organization reaffirmed its collaboration with the African Union, the United Nations, and member states in promoting dialogue, peacebuilding, and religious tolerance across the subregion.
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources in Abuja confirmed that the ECOWAS Secretariat has reached out to the U.S. Embassy for clarifications on the origin and context of the alleged statement credited to former President Trump.
Regional observers say the strong response reflects ECOWAS’s growing sensitivity to foreign narratives that could inflame internal conflicts or damage its international standing.
As part of its renewed peace framework, ECOWAS plans to convene a Ministerial Dialogue on Religious Cohesion and Human Security later this year, bringing together faith leaders, civil society groups, and policymakers from across West Africa.
The regional body concluded by urging citizens to remain calm and avoid being swayed by misinformation, reaffirming that “West Africa stands united in diversity not divided by faith.”
