The Influence of Religion on International Relations in West Africa: Islam, Christianity, and Geopolitical Alignments

This study examines the influence of religious identity and institutions on international relations dynamics in West Africa, focusing on how Islamic and Christian networks shape geopolitical alignments, diplomatic preferences, and security cooperation among states in the sub-region. West Africa's religious geography, divided between a predominantly Islamic North and a predominantly Christian South in states including Nigeria, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire, creates internal and inter-state religious dynamics that intersect with formal diplomatic relations. Using a descriptive analytical design, the study reviews ECOWAS summit communiques, bilateral diplomatic correspondence, and secondary academic literature on religion and international relations published between 2020 and 2024. The Constructivist Theory of International Relations and the Religious Factor in Foreign Policy Framework provide the analytical lenses. Findings indicate that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's influence through its West African member states has created informal diplomatic alignments that occasionally diverge from ECOWAS consensus positions, particularly on issues relating to Palestine, terrorism financing regulation, and religious freedom standards. The Nigerian case is examined as a state where internal Christian-Muslim tensions directly influence the conduct of foreign policy. Keywords: religion, international relations, West Africa, Islam, Christianity.