Muslim and Christian leaders from across West Africa have established a regional coordination body and signed four cooperation agreements intended to counter extremist narratives and strengthen interfaith peacebuilding.
The agreements were announced at an international conference in Abuja organised by the Muslim World League under the theme “Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future.” Government officials and civil-society representatives joined religious leaders at the meeting.
Abuja Declaration sets joint programme
Delegates adopted the Abuja Declaration, which calls for government institutions, faith communities and civil organisations to collaborate on conflict prevention. It also supports expanded education, training and media programmes linked to the Makkah Charter, a framework for religious cooperation.
A new Coordinating Body for Religious and Civil Leaders and Institutions in West Africa will supervise implementation and review progress. The four memorandums connect the Muslim World League and Nigerian interfaith organisations, as well as Muslim and Christian networks working on youth development and peace.
The initiative comes as communities across the Sahel face continuing violence from armed extremist groups, including JNIM and Islamic State affiliates. Nigeria has also confronted Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province since 2009, conflicts that have displaced large populations and sought to deepen religious divisions.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu backed the declaration and its proposed evaluations during a meeting with Muslim World League secretary-general Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa. Participants also included representatives linked to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Vatican, Protestant churches and US evangelical groups.