The Economic Community of West African States has dismissed claims of genocide against any religious group in the region, noting that such claims are designed to distort unity and cohesion in the bloc.  

This came after President Donald Trump threatened to launch a military operation on Nigerian soil over alleged Christian genocide.

In a communiqué issued on Tuesday, ECOWAS stated that the claims were sponsored by perpetrators seeking to worsen insecurity in the West African region.

“The Economic Community of West African States 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 coloration have perpetuated in some countries in the West African region, including Nigeria,” the communique said.

Citing independent reports over the years, ECOWAS said that perpetrators of this violence “target innocent civilians of all religious denominations, including Muslims, Christians and adherents to other religions”.

It pointed out that “terrorist-related violence does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity, or age”.

The bloc stated that it rejects false and dangerous claims that aim to deepen insecurity in communities and weaken social cohesion in the region, urging the international community to support its member states.

“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.

“ECOWAS calls on the whole world to stand by the countries in the region in their fight against terrorism that targets all communities,” said the bloc.