By: ThinkBusiness Africa
The African Union Commission (AUC) reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s sovereignty, non-interference, religious freedom, and the rule of law, following what it described as “concerning” statements from the United States of America. It’s said in a statement on Friday.
The AUC’s statement, directly addressed recent claims by the United States (US) alleging that the Government of Nigeria is complicit in the targeted killing of Christians and, critically, threatening military action.
The Commission firmly asserted that it fully respects Nigeria’s “sovereign right to manage its internal affairs,” including security and human rights, in line with its Constitution and international obligations. The statement underscored the fundamental principle that any external engagement with Nigeria “must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.” The commission said.
The AUC emphasized that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a longstanding and valued Member State, playing a crucial role in regional stability, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping initiatives, and continental integration.
African Union backed Nigeria’s repeated affirmation that its Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief and that the Government rejects all forms of religious persecution.
Instead of military threats, the African Union urged external partners, particularly the United States, to pursue a path of diplomacy and cooperation; calling for: Diplomatic dialogue, Intelligence sharing and Capacity-building partnerships.
The statement stressed that these methods must be pursued while “respecting Nigerian sovereignty rather than resorting to unilateral threats of military intervention,” which the AU warned could undermine continental peace, regional stability, and AU norms for peaceful conflict management.
On November 1, 2025, US President Trump announced that the U.S. State Department was designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” for allegedly engaging in or tolerating “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” This designation opens the door to potential U.S. sanctions.
On November 2, 2025, President Trump escalated the situation dramatically in a series of social media posts, publicly threatening unilateral U.S. military intervention in Nigeria. His posts directed the newly styled “Department of War” (Pentagon) to prepare for action.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.” Trump threatens.
However, Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, swiftly rejected the claims of any Christian persecution in the country, stating that freedom of religion is a fundamental human rights in the west African nation.
