ECOWAS Denounces Terror Surge, Dismisses Claims of Religious Genocide in West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on the United Nations and international partners to intensify assistance to member nations confronting a growing wave of terrorist attacks across the region, including Nigeria.

In a communiqué released on Wednesday, ECOWAS condemned the rising violence by armed groups that, it said, indiscriminately target civilians irrespective of religion, ethnicity, gender, or age.

The regional bloc dismissed what it described as “false and dangerous allegations” that terrorist organizations are waging genocide against any particular religious community. It stressed that years of independent assessments show that terrorism in the region affects people of all backgrounds without discrimination.

ECOWAS warned that such divisive claims could fuel sectarian tension and threaten the fragile unity among West African societies.

“The organization calls on the global community to stand in solidarity with West African nations in their collective fight against terrorism that affects all communities,” the statement concluded.

The appeal follows a recent escalation in attacks by extremist groups operating across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.