Mahmoud Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, has clarified that the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria cannot be characterised as targeted attacks on Christians. Speaking to reporters at the United Nations in New York on Friday, November 14, 2025, Youssouf noted that the group’s earliest victims were largely Muslim communities.
He explained that the conflict in northern Nigeria is complex, involving insurgency, communal tensions, and criminal activities that affect people across different religious and social backgrounds. “The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians. And I’m saying it with documented references,” Youssouf stated.
The AU official highlighted that Boko Haram’s attacks have been indiscriminate, targeting mosques, markets, schools, and public gatherings, rather than singling out any particular religious group. Many displaced families in the region were Muslim households who suffered repeated attacks long before narratives of Christian-targeted killings emerged.
Youssouf stressed that misrepresenting the conflict could undermine international cooperation and divert attention from addressing the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, extremist recruitment, weak institutions, and limited access to essential services. He reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria and neighbouring countries in stabilising affected areas, enhancing security responses, and providing humanitarian aid.
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