The African Union (AU) Commission has issued a strong statement urging the United States to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and engage in diplomatic dialogue, amid escalating tensions over Washington’s threats of military action.
The continental body expressed deep concern over recent statements from the U.S., including former President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and his warnings of potential military intervention to combat terrorism.
In a firm rebuke, the AU emphasized that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex and require coordinated international support, not unilateral threats that could destabilize the region. The Commission rejected oversimplified narratives that attribute violence solely to religious motives, stating such views hinder effective solutions.
“The AUC urges external partners, including the United States, to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building partnerships,” the official statement read. It further insisted that any external engagement must “respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity,” warning that military threats could undermine continental peace and established norms for conflict resolution.
This intervention from the AU marks a significant elevation of the diplomatic row, placing continental authority behind Nigeria’s stance against external interference.
