The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says reports calling the violence in the region a genocide against any one religion are false.
The bloc believes those claims are meant to damage unity among member countries.
ECOWAS said attackers target innocent civilians regardless of religion — Muslims, Christians and followers of other faiths have all been harmed. It pointed to independent reports showing terrorist violence does not pick victims by religion, age, gender or ethnicity.
ECOWAS asks for international support
The regional body urged the United Nations and other partners to help West African countries fight these armed groups.
It also asked them to reject claims that the groups are targeting only one religious community.
ECOWAS called the genocide accusations “false and dangerous,” saying they make communities less safe and weaken social ties across the region.
The statement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to name Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged attacks on Christians.
Trump also threatened to cut aid and hinted at military action if the Nigerian government did not stop the killings.
Nigeria’s federal government has denied the genocide claims and said it remains committed to protecting religious freedom for all citizens.
