ECOWAS Condemns Rising Terror Attacks In West Africa, Rejects Claims Of Targeted Genocide

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged the United Nations and international partners to bolster support for member states battling escalating terrorist violence across the region, including Nigeria.

In a communiqué, ECOWAS highlighted attacks by armed groups that indiscriminately target civilians regardless of religion, gender, ethnicity, or age.

It said that Terrorist-related violence does not discriminate citing years of independent reports.

The regional body explicitly rejected what it called “false and dangerous claims” suggesting that terrorist groups target specific religious communities or that a genocide is underway against any single faith group.

Such narratives, ECOWAS warned, risk inflaming tensions and undermining social cohesion.

“ECOWAS called on the whole world to stand by the countries in the region in their fight against terrorism that targets all communities,” the statement concluded.

The appeal comes amid a surge in attacks attributed to various extremist factions operating in West Africa’s Sahel and Lake Chad basin regions.