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EU declares full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional neutrality.
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Says partnership with Nigeria is guided by shared values, not foreign pressure.
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Promises stronger cooperation in peacebuilding, security, and interfaith dialogue.
The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty, stressing that its partnership with the country is built on mutual respect and shared democratic values — not external influence.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, made this known in Lagos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday while reacting to threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump of possible military action against Nigeria over alleged religious persecution.
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Mignot said the EU stood firmly with Nigeria and its people in their pursuit of peace and tolerance across religious and ethnic lines.
“Our position is one of solidarity with Nigeria — solidarity with the victims of violence, with the authorities working to protect citizens, and with the Nigerian people who overwhelmingly desire peaceful coexistence beyond ethnic and religious divides,” he said.
He added that the EU respected Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional commitment to religious neutrality, stressing that its support covered all victims of violence, irrespective of religion or background.
According to the ambassador, the EU remains ready to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in areas of peace, security, and defence through ongoing dialogue with civil society, traditional rulers, and faith-based organisations.
“We support programmes on deradicalisation, demobilisation, and reintegration of ex-members of non-state armed groups in the North-East,” Mignot noted.
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He acknowledged that while challenges persist in the protection of human rights and religious freedom, Nigeria’s legal framework still provides strong grounds for safeguarding these liberties.
“The situation is not perfect, as in any country, but there exists a constitutional basis for the protection of human rights. It is up to Nigerian authorities and society as a whole to uphold and strengthen this environment of peaceful coexistence,” he stated.
Mignot disclosed that a peace, security, and defence dialogue between Nigeria and the EU would soon be held to deepen strategic cooperation, adding that the EU’s engagement was consistent and not influenced by U.S. policy.
“Our cooperation is not driven by what others do, but by our shared interest in a stable, prosperous, and democratic Nigeria,” he said.
Recall that Donald Trump recently threatened to stop all U.S. assistance to Nigeria and possibly deploy military action if the government failed to stop alleged killings of Christians.
However, both the Federal Government and ECOWAS have denied the allegations, insisting that terrorist violence in the region targets people of all religions.
