The African Union Commission (AUC) has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s sovereignty, religious freedom, and the rule of law, following comments by former US President Donald Trump suggesting possible American military action in the country.
In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, the AUC emphasised that Nigeria, as a valued member of the African Union, retains the sovereign right to manage its internal affairs without external interference.
“The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a longstanding and valued Member State of the African Union, playing a key role in regional stability, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping initiatives, and continental integration,” the statement read.
The Commission urged all foreign powers, including the United States, to prioritise diplomacy and cooperation over unilateral threats, stressing that such rhetoric could undermine regional peace and violate AU principles of non-interference.
“The AUC fully respects Nigeria’s sovereign right to manage its internal affairs, including security, religious freedom, and human rights, in line with its Constitution and international obligations,” it added.
READ ALSO: Nigeria welcomes EBRD’s first West African office as EU strengthens ties
Addressing concerns raised by Washington about alleged religious persecution, the AU reiterated that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief, and that the government has repeatedly rejected any form of discrimination.
The statement also acknowledged Nigeria’s ongoing battle against violent extremism, banditry, and communal conflicts, noting that these challenges affect citizens of all faiths. It warned against framing the nation’s security issues solely as a religious conflict, arguing that such narratives risk deepening division and hindering effective solutions.
“The AUC rejects any narrative that weaponises religion or oversimplifies security challenges. Conflating all violence with a single religious-target narrative may destabilise communities,” it cautioned.
Reaffirming its readiness to assist, the AU said it would continue to support Nigeria through peace and security mechanisms, capacity-building, and partnership programmes.
“AUC urges external partners, including the United States, to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building partnerships rather than resorting to unilateral threats of military intervention,” the statement concluded.
