ECOWAS rejects genocide claims in region, urges global support in fight against terrorism

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday dismissed claims that any religious group is being genocided in the region, saying such labels only aim to weaken unity and worsen insecurity.

In a communique posted on its X handle, the bloc said terrorists in West Africa attack “innocent civilians of all religious denominations including Muslims, Christians, and adherents to other religions.”

ECOWAS urged the United Nations and international partners to back member states in the fight against violent groups and to treat as false any assertion that these groups single out one religion.

“ECOWAS strongly rejects these false and dangerous claims that seek to deepen insecurity in communities and weaken social cohesion in the region,” the statement read, adding that the world should “stand by the countries in the region in their fight against terrorism that targets all communities.”

The comment follows the recent US designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over allegations of targeted killings of Christians, a claim the Nigerian government has denied while insisting it remains committed to protecting freedom of religion.