Addis Ababa: The African Union Commission (AUC) has reiterated its steadfast commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, religious freedom, and the rule of law, as stipulated in the African Union Constitutive Act and associated documents.

According to African Press Organization, the Commission has expressed concern over recent statements originating from the United States, which allege that the Nigerian Government is involved in the targeted killing of Christians and even threaten military action. The AUC emphasized the following points in response to these allegations:

1. Nigeria is recognized as a longstanding and valued Member State of the African Union, significantly contributing to regional stability, counter-terrorism efforts, peacekeeping initiatives, and the broader agenda of continental integration.

2. The AUC acknowledges Nigeria’s sovereign right to manage its internal affairs independently, including matters concerning security, religious freedom, and human rights, in accordance with its Constitution and international obligations. The Commission insists that any external involvement must honor Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.

3. The AUC supports Nigeria’s consistent affirmations that its Constitution ensures freedom of religion and belief, and the Government’s stance against all forms of religious persecution.

4. Nigeria is currently facing intricate security challenges that affect citizens of various faiths, including threats from violent extremist groups, banditry, communal violence, and conflicts over resources. The AUC calls for regional and international cooperation to assist Nigeria and other African nations in enhancing their capacity to address these security issues, protect all citizens, uphold human rights, and bring perpetrators of violence to justice.

The Commission is prepared to offer assistance through its peace and security framework, capacity-building programs, and strategic alliances.

5. The AUC firmly rejects any narrative that exploits religion or oversimplifies security challenges. Simplifying all violence into a single religious-target narrative could impede effective solutions and destabilize communities.

6. The AUC calls on external partners, including the United States, to engage with Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building collaborations, while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty. Unilateral threats of military intervention could undermine continental peace, regional stability, and AU norms for peaceful conflict resolution.

The African Union Commission remains dedicated to supporting its Member States in fostering peace, security, human rights, and development, while consistently upholding the principles of sovereignty and non-interference.