The African Union Commission Chairman, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has asserted that Muslims are the primary victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, contradicting claims that Christians are most affected.
Addressing reporters at the United Nations headquarters, Youssouf responded to allegations of genocide in Nigeria, emphasizing, “Let me say this first, there is no genocide in northern Nigeria.”
He further clarified, “We have issued a communication making clear that what is going on in the northern part of Nigeria has nothing to do with the kind of atrocities we see in Sudan or in some parts of eastern DRC.”
Youssouf supported his statements by stating that Muslims, not Christians, are the first victims of Boko Haram, citing documented evidence.
This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump recently labeled Nigeria as “a Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian killings and has instructed the Department of Defense to prepare for potential military action should the Nigerian government fail to address these concerns.
