‘Nigeria Is A Sovereign Nation’ – AU Rejects Trump’s Threat

The African Union Commission (AUC) has rejected recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

In a statement released in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday, the AUC reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a sovereign and independent nation whose internal affairs must be respected.

It expressed concern over what it described as “external threats and unfounded allegations” against a member state, reiterating its commitment to the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and the rule of law as enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act.

“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 stressed that any engagement with Nigeria or any African nation must respect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.

“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 stated.

The Union also backed Nigeria’s repeated assurances that freedom of religion and belief are guaranteed under its Constitution, noting that the government has consistently rejected all forms of religious persecution.

“Nigeria faces complex security challenges affecting citizens of all faiths, including violent extremism, banditry, and communal violence. Conflating all violence with a single religious narrative may hinder effective solutions and destabilize communities,” the AUC said.

While calling for international cooperation to strengthen regional peace and security, the AU warned that unilateral military threats or interventions by external powers could undermine stability on the continent.

“The AUC urges external partners, including the United States, to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building partnerships. Resorting to unilateral threats of military intervention would only weaken peace efforts and contradict the principles of peaceful conflict management,” it said.

The Commission reaffirmed its readiness to assist Nigeria through its peace and security mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives, emphasizing that Africa remains committed to homegrown solutions to its challenges.

“The African Union Commission remains steadfast in supporting Member States to promote peace, human rights, and development while upholding sovereignty and non-interference,” the statement added.