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Rejects claims of religious genocide in Nigeria
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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has told the international community that terrorist attacks in the sub-region were not targeted at a particular religion, but people of different faiths and religions.
The ECOWAS Commission, in a veiled response to the ongoing controversy over genocide against Christians in Nigeria and the threat by United States President Donald Trump of military invasion of Nigeria, said perpetrators of the violence target innocent civilians of all religious denominations including Muslims, Christians, and adherents to other religions.
It further said terrorist-related violence does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity or age.
“The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) wishes to draw the attention of partners and the international community as a whole to the growing level of violence that terrorist groups of different coloration have perpetrated in some countries in the West African region, including Nigeria.
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“Perpetrators of this violence target innocent civilians of all religious denominations including Muslims, Christians, and adherents to other religions. As independent reports have confirmed over the years, terrorist-related violence does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity or age,” ECOWAS said.
ECOWAS however called on the United Nations and all partners to support member states in their fight against terrorist groups and to treat as false, any claims that the terrorist groups target one group, or that there is a genocide of one religious group in the region.
“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,” ECOWAS stated.
