The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has said there is no genocide happening in northern Nigeria. He rejected claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that very large numbers of Christians were being killed in the country.
Speaking to reporters at the United Nations in New York, Youssouf said the situation in northern Nigeria was different from what is happening in Sudan or the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“What’s going on in the northern part of Nigeria has nothing to do with the kind of atrocities we see in Sudan or in some part of eastern DRC,” he said.
He warned Trump to “think twice before making such statements,” adding that the first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians.
Boko Haram victims mostly Muslims
The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has terrorized northeast Nigeria for about 15 years, killing tens of thousands of people.
Human rights experts have confirmed that most of its victims are Muslims, despite Trump’s comments suggesting Christians were being targeted.
Earlier this month, Trump said he had asked the U.S. Defense Department to prepare for possible “fast” military action if Nigeria failed to stop the killing of Christians. He did not provide evidence to support his claims.
He also threatened to “stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” and said he might send U.S. forces “guns-a-blazing” to fight Islamic terrorists in the country.
Nigeria responds to Trump’s remarks
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country remains committed to fighting violent extremism and protecting all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity.
The ministry expressed hope that Washington would continue to be a close ally.
“Nigeria will continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race, creed, or religion,” it said.
Nigeria, a diverse nation with more than 200 ethnic groups and a mix of Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers, has a history of peaceful coexistence.
However, tensions and clashes sometimes occur, fueled by ethnic rivalries or competition for limited resources.
