The African Union (AU) has refuted claims by US President Donald Trump that Christians in northern Nigeria are experiencing “genocide” and facing an “existential threat” from jihadist groups.
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, addressed the issue during a press briefing on Wednesday in New York, cautioning that such statements oversimplify a complex crisis.
Earlier this month, Trump alleged that radical Islamists were killing Christians “in very large numbers” and warned that the United States might intervene militarily if Nigeria failed to curb the violence.
He described potential military action as “fast, vicious, and sweet,” raising global concern and diplomatic debate.
Youssouf, however, asserted that the portrayal was inaccurate and could escalate tensions.
“There is no genocide in northern Nigeria,” he stated clearly. “The complexity of the situation in northern Nigeria should push us to think twice before making such statements.”
The AU chief explained that Nigeria’s insurgency is multifaceted and does not align with a narrative of religion-targeted extermination. He emphasized that the jihadist insurgency impacts all communities regardless of faith.
“The first victims of Boko Haram, the most prominent jihadist group in the region, are Muslims, not Christians,” Youssouf noted.
He highlighted that northern Nigeria has endured over a decade of violence driven by extremist ideology, poverty, criminality, and governance challenges—not a single-faith war.
Nigeria, with over 230 million people, is divided almost evenly between a predominantly Christian south and a Muslim-majority north. The country is grappling with numerous security challenges, including:
- Jihadist insurgencies
- Banditry
- Farmer-herder conflicts
- Communal clashes
These conflicts often result in indiscriminate casualties, with both Christians and Muslims experiencing significant losses.
Boko Haram, which initiated its violent campaign in 2009, has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced over two million, according to United Nations estimates.
Naija News reports that Trump’s remarks have sparked debate among diplomatic circles, religious bodies, and civil society groups.
While some see the comments as highlighting necessary attention to attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and North-East, others, like the African Union, argue that such framing risks distorting facts and deepening mistrust among religious communities.
Youssouf reiterated the AU’s position that inflammatory rhetoric must be avoided at all costs.
He stated the union’s commitment to assisting Nigeria in finding long-term solutions to insecurity through cooperation, intelligence sharing, and regional security frameworks.
