The European Union (EU) has expressed solidarity with communities affected by violence in Nigeria while reaffirming its commitment to peace, freedom of religion, and the protection of all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.
Responding to recent comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria, the EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Anouar El Anouni, said the Union had taken note of the statements and continues to support Nigeria’s peace and development efforts.
“The EU expresses its solidarity with all the communities and families affected by the violence, including the recent large-scale attacks in the southern belt of Nigeria and in the northeast,” El Anouni said.
He emphasized that while religion has been cited in some conflicts, it is not the sole cause of violence in the country.
“We recognize the many factors behind the violence in Nigeria. Religion is only one of these factors, and only in certain instances,” the EU spokesperson explained.
El Anouni said the European Union remains committed to working closely with Nigerian authorities to strengthen peace and coexistence among diverse communities.
“The European Union cooperates with the competent Nigerian authorities and implements multifaceted support in Nigeria to prevent violence, to encourage the consolidation of peace, and to assist the victims of violence and forced displacement,” he noted.
The EU also reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of religion and belief, stressing that peaceful coexistence among Nigerians—irrespective of geographical, ethnic, political, or religious differences—remains a cornerstone of its engagement with the country.
“We underline our commitment to the peaceful coexistence of the Nigerian population beyond geographical, ethnic, political, or religious differences,” El Anouni added.
The EU has been a long-standing partner in Nigeria’s peacebuilding initiatives, humanitarian response, and governance reforms, supporting various programs aimed at preventing extremism and addressing the root causes of communal and insurgent violence.
