The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected allegations that any religious group in the sub-region is being subjected to genocide, warning that such claims undermine regional unity and security.
In a statement released late Tuesday, the regional bloc said these assertions are intended to exacerbate instability across the sub-region.
“Perpetrators of violence target innocent civilians of all religious denominations, including Muslims, Christians, and followers of other faiths,” the communiqué read, citing independent reports that confirm terrorist attacks do not discriminate by religion, gender, ethnicity, or age.
ECOWAS urged the United Nations and international partners to support member states in combating extremist groups, and to regard claims that a particular religious community is being targeted as false. “These dangerous and unfounded claims seek to deepen insecurity and weaken social cohesion in our communities,” the statement said.
The regional organization called on the international community to stand with countries in the sub-region in their ongoing fight against terrorism, emphasizing that the threat affects all communities indiscriminately.
