The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dismissed claims that there is a genocide targeting any single religious group in the region, saying such assertions aim to distort the bloc’s social cohesion and worsen insecurity.

In a communique posted on its X account on Tuesday, ECOWAS said perpetrators of violence in West Africa target innocent civilians of all religious denominations, including Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other faiths. The statement said independent reports have confirmed that terrorist-related violence does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity, or age.

“ECOWAS calls on the United Nations and all partners to support Member States in their fight against these groups, and to treat as false any claims that these terrorist groups target one group, or that there is a genocide of one religious group in the region,” the bloc wrote. “ECOWAS strongly rejects these false and dangerous claims that seek to deepen insecurity in communities and weaken social cohesion in the region. ECOWAS calls on the whole world to stand by the countries in the region in their fight against terrorism that targets all communities.”

The statement followed recent comments by US President Donald Trump, who designated Nigeria a CPC over claims of killings targeted at Christians and warned of potential US action. The Nigerian Federal Government has likewise denied that there is a systematic campaign against Christians, and reaffirmed its commitment to religious freedom.

Headline A (Direct & Informative): ECOWAS Rejects Claims of Religious Genocide, Urges International Support Against Terrorism

Headline B (Engaging & Descriptive): No Single Target: ECOWAS Says Terrorists Attack All Communities, Warns Against Divisive Claims