Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chair of the African Union Commission, has dismissed claims of genocide in northern Nigeria, countering statements by former US President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians in the region face an “existential threat” from jihadist groups.

Trump recently warned that radical Islamists were killing “Christians in very large numbers” in Nigeria and threatened potential armed intervention if the country did not curb the violence, describing it as something that would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”

Addressing the situation at a press conference in New York on Wednesday, Youssouf said, “There is no genocide in northern Nigeria. The complexity of the situation should push us to think twice before making such statements.”

He emphasized that Muslims are the primary victims of Boko Haram, the most prominent jihadist group in the region, which has been active since 2009. According to UN figures, the insurgency has killed over 40,000 people and displaced more than two million from their homes.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with approximately 230 million people, is roughly divided between a predominantly Christian south and a Muslim-majority north. The country has faced multiple conflicts, with attacks often affecting both Christians and Muslims indiscriminately.

Youssouf reiterated, “The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians,” stressing the importance of accurate reporting on the crisis to prevent mischaracterizations that could escalate tensions or misinform international responses.

The remarks come amid heightened international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly in the north-east, where insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes have caused widespread suffering.