Transcript REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA

REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA
THE CASE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION
November 2001
The logic for Biafra has returned despite Nigeria’s so-called “No
Victor, No Vanquished” post-war rhetoric
POST-WAR ECONOMIC
DISPOSSESSION AND
DISCRIMINATION
SHARIA LAW AND
EMERGENCE OF ISLAMIC
STATES
 State Sanctioned Financial
Asset Seizure (20 Pounds Policy)
 Emergence of Islamic States in
Northern Nigeria since 1999
clearly demonstrates inability of
Federal Government to enforce
1999 Constitution and protect
citizens
 State Sanctioned Property
Confiscation (“Abandoned
Property”)
Employment Discrimination in
Northern Nigeria
PERIODIC POGROMS
 The Igbo and other Eastern
Nigerian nationality groups
periodically attacked
 Federal, State and Local
authorities usually respond slowly
 Since May 1998, pogroms now
wearing explicit religious face
Though supposedly applicable
to only Muslims, non-Muslims
being forced to obey Islamic law;
direct assault on secularity of
Nigerian constitution
Hisbah (religious police) now
arrest and harass Igbo traders for
non-compliance with Islamic law
 In Fall 2001, Deputy-Governor
of Kano State, personally led
Hisbah in attacking a hotel
 Hotels, bars and general Igbo
businesses now operate in fear of
attacks from Hisbah
LOSS OF SENSE OF
CITIZENSHIP
 The Igbo increasingly
feel unwelcome in
Nigeria
 Nigerian authorities
have become cynical
about Igbo plight; no
compelling evidence that
authorities will protect
Igbos or work to defend
them against
encroachment of radical
Islamism
 Biafra-bashing now in
vogue again; Gen.
Obasanjo showed off his
war wounds on the 1999
campaign trail;
periodically makes
hostile references to
Biafra
Igbo civil and human
rights stripped away by
Islamic law
From Zamfara’s January 2000 introduction of Sharia Law, Islamic
states have mushroomed in northern Nigeria. Gombe in late
2001 implemented Sharia Law
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_620000/620058.stm
The Nigerian Federal Government has demonstrated systematic
disregard for the right to life of ordinary Biafrans, even as
sectarian violence and hate campaigns increase in frequency
•
In October 2001, religious riots in Kano, a major northern Nigerian city
claimed the lives of over 200 Biafrans and southern Nigerians.
Questioned about the riots, Nigerian ruler, President Olusegun Obasanjo
responded thus:
– "I don't worry. . . We knew there would be people who would want to
express (themselves)."
•
General Olusegun Obasanjo, President and Commander-in-Chief, Armed
Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 – Present)
•
In contrast, a resident of Kaduna, one of the cities in which hundreds died
in Sharia-related riots in 2000, reflected thus:
– "We now live in perpetual fear because of the incidents of terror
unleashed by rampaging youths in their battle to ensure Islamic
sharia law is in operation in the city. I don't stay out beyond six in
the evening.”
•
Kate Obosa, Kaduna resident
Source: “Nigerian president says unconcerned by violence”, (October 15, 2001) Reuters; BBC Online
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_763000/763818.stm
The strategic nexus of high level corruption, a militarized “democracy
and state complicity in civilian massacres has convinced Biafran
activists the Nigerian state is incapable of protecting their civil rights
High Level Corruption
• In 2001, Nigeria was ranked among the world’s most corrupt countries
by Transparency International, a Berlin-based NGO
• Corruption related to the upcoming 2003 general elections intensifying.
According to NGO groups, contractors are being asked to set aside 20%
of the value of a Federal contract to pay for the President and his ruling
Militarization of Law Enforcement
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) re-election
State Complicity in Violence
• During the Jos massacre of 2001,
arms and ammunitions used by
Islamic militants supplied by Bauchi
State Governor, Alhaji Muazu, the
former Police Commissioner in
Plateau State, among others
• State sponsored terrorism has now
assumed a different dimension
reminiscent of the events leading up
to the 1967 civil war
• Only in a failed state would
allegedly legitimate authorities
sponsor terrorism against its own
citizens
• Since the beginning of the Obasanjo
Administration, supposedly a
democracy, the use of military force to
crush civilian populations, following
attacks by militant youths or criminal
elements has intensified
• October 12, 2001: Soldiers opened
fire on villagers in central Nigeria and
razed four communities, along the
border between Benue and Taraba
states near the place where the bodies
of 19 soldiers were found hacked to
death. More than 200 people killed.
Over 100,000 refugees created by
military action
• November 1999: Odi Village:
Invaded and razed by the Nigerian
Army following the kidnap and murder
of a dozen Nigerian Police Force
officers
Thus, Biafra is a response to the terrorism, cruelty, failure and
utter lack of humanity represented by the Nigerian state
• Logic: Biafrans at historical crossroads
– “The Federal Government is afraid of daring the perpetrators of the Sharia Law. We, therefore, find ourselves at
another crossroads. Do we want freedom in a New Biafra or Slavery in Nigeria? The memory of the past civil war
stares us in the face. The issue of another Biafra therefore raises more questions than answers. We are now
faced with the problem of convincing our people that the quest for the new Biafra will not cause another war. We
have therefore resolved to pursue the cause of freedom in our new Biafra. This is the greatest legacy that we can
bestow on our future generation. ”
• Objective: Biafran Independence
– “Having hoisted the flag of our new Biafra today, we wish to declare our resolve to demand and pursue the
realization of our sovereignty from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “
• Independence Strategy: Non-violence and negotiation culminating in a referendum
– “The process admits [use] of negotiations, dialogue and consultation. It also admits [use] of non co-operation and
passive resistance to oppressive and obnoxious laws of the authorities.”
• Process Steps: 25 stages for the actualization of the sovereignty of the new Biafra State through Nonviolence and Non Exodus.
– “It was through a struggle like ours that Nigeria, Ghana, India, South Africa, East Timor etc gained their
independence.”
Source: MASSOB’s Aba Declaration. For a copy please see http://www.kwenu.com/aba_declaration.htm
The proposed Biafran territory – subject to an initial referendum
and perpetual constitutional right for its members to secede - is
about 29,400 square miles
Proposed Biafran Borders
Biafran independence campaigns
intend to conduct a referendum
to determine who wants to be
included in the new republic.
Campaigners are hopeful that the
boundaries of the republic will
match those given below:
• West: By the lower reaches of
the River Niger and its Delta
• East: By the Obudu plateau and
the Highlands of Oban and Ikom
• South: By the Bight of Biafra
• North: by an administrative
boundary following,
approximately, the 7 degree
North latitude
The revival of the Biafran self-determination project – flagged off
in 1999 - has been effectively led by a local grassroots based
organization, MASSOB
Background
• Full Name: Movement For the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)
• Founded in 1998/99
• Influences: Ghandi, Mandela and King
• Objective: Lead a non-violent campaign for Biafra self-determination and independence
• Goal: Obtain UN-supervised referendum for independence
•
Key Leadership: Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, Mr. Orjiakor and Mr. Uche Okwukwu
• Headquarters: Okigwe
• Membership: 7.5 million (within and outside Nigeria)
The revival of the Biafran self-determination project – flagged off
in 1999 - has been effectively led by a local grassroots based
organization, MASSOB (Cont.)
Successes
• Developed a 30+ step for the journey to self-determination
• In May 2000, declared the Republic of Biafra
– Introduced a number of organizations and paraphernalia of Biafra
• In May 2001, celebrated the first anniversary of the Republic of Biafra
• Chief Magistrate declared she had no jurisdiction to try case of treason against MASSOB
members for MASSOB membership.
• Establishment of MASSOB courts to accommodate Biafrans who prefer the MASSOB courts to
Nigerian courts. Parties involved agree to accept the rulings of the MASSOB courts as final.
• In September 2001, inaugurated Biafra House in Washington, D.C.
The revival of the Biafran self-determination project – flagged off
in 1999 - has been effectively led by a local grassroots based
organization, MASSOB (Cont.)
Funeral Procession for Slain MASSOB Members
Set Backs
• Over 45 members shot
and killed by Nigerian
Police Force
• About 1000+ members
in detention; a number
on trial for treason
Source: http://www.BiafraNigeriaWorld.com/images/biafra/MASSB/Procession1.gif
The Sept. 2001 opening of Biafra House marks a critical shift in
the efforts towards self-determination; it provides a platform for
organizing the Biafran Diaspora, as well as international relations
• On Sept. 29, 2001, the leadership of
MASSOB, Biafra Foundation, Ekwe Nche
and a number of well-wishers opened
Biafra House located in Washington D.C.
• Biafra House acts as central gathering
point for Biafran activities in North
America
• Provides a platform for the organization of
intellectual, fund raising and diplomatic
efforts to support the independence of the
Biafran state
• Provides a credible symbol of the results
of a strategy of non-violence in the pursuit
of Biafran independence
Source: Biafra Foundation (http://www.biafraland.com/biafrahouse_opening.htm)
Voice of Biafra International has been broadcasting once a week
since late 2001. The one-hour broadcast provides a critical
source of information and boosts the morale of Biafrans globally
Voice of Biafra International (VOBI)
• The goal of VOBI is to provide and
disseminate news and information of
relevance and pressing import to IgboBiafra, and to the rest of the world,
using SHORTWAVE Radio..
– On September 1, 2001, the maiden
broadcast was made.
• Frequency: 7380 KHz (equivalent to
41 Meter Band)
• Time: 2100 Hours UTC (Universal
Time [Coordinated]) equivalent to
10.00pm Biafraland time
every Saturday.
• A project of Biafra Foundation and
Biafra Actualization Forum.
(updated 1/24/04)
Source: Biafra Foundation (http://www.biafraland.com/vobi.htm)
To join the effort to help achieve Biafran independence and
guarantee over 30 million people their freedoms, please contact
the following organizations
Movement For the Actualization of the
Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)
National Headquarters
153 Owerri RoadOkigwe, Biafra
PH: 234-88-420-120
E-mail: [email protected]
Biafra Liberation Movement (BLM)
&
Biafra Committee for Immediate Action
(BCIA)
P.O. Box 501
Iowa City, IA 52244
E-mail: [email protected]
Biafra Foundation
733 15th St NW
Suite 700
Washington DC 20005
PH: 202 347-2983.
E-mail: [email protected]
Ekwe Nche Organization.
P.O.BOX 408250
CHICAGO, IL 60640
E-mail: [email protected]
Voice Of Biafra International
733 15th St NW
Suite 700
Washington DC 20005
PH: 202 347-2983.
E-mail: [email protected]
Backup Slides
REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA NATIONAL ANTHEM
REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA NATIONAL ANTHEM
Land of the Rising Sun
Land of the rising sun, we love and cherish,
Beloved homeland of our brave heroes;
We must defend our lives or we shall perish,
We shall protect our hearts from all our foes;
But if the price is death for all we hold dear,
Then let us die without a shred of fear.
We shall emerge triumphant from this ordeal,
And through the crucible unscathed we’ll pass;
When we are poised the wounds of battle to heal,
We shall remember those who died in mass;
Then shall our trumpets peal the glorious song
Of victory we scored o’er might and wrong.
Hail to Biafra, consecrated nation,
Oh fatherland, this be our solemn pledge:
Defending thee shall be a dedication,
Spilling our blood we’ll count a privilege;
The waving standard which emboldens the free
Shall always be our flag of liberty.
Oh God, protect us from the hidden pitfall,
Guide all our movements lest we go astray;
Give us the strength to heed the humanist call:
‘To give and not to count the cost" each day;
Bless those who rule to serve with resoluteness,
To make this clime a land of righteousness.
Since 1945, Biafran nationality groups have been subjected to
repeated pogroms, harassment and dispossession of property.
The scale and frequency suggests genocide
During the 1967-70 Biafran Civil War, over 1 million Biafran civilians died of starvation as a result of a
Nigerian policy aptly described as “starvation is a legitimate weapon of war.”
Biafran and Southern Nigerian Deaths in Northern Nigeria (1945-2001)
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
1945
1953
1966
1980
1982
1984
1985
1991
1993
1994
2000
Deaths
Source: Biafra Foundation, http://nigeriaworld.com/feature/publication/david-west/101901.html
2001
Nigeria has experienced a creeping Islamization since the 1804
Jihad, only interrupted by the British colonial era, with Islamic
radicals pursuing a goal of “dipping the Koran in the sea”
1960-1977: Secular state (and occasionally) constitution in force; Sharia negotiated away during preindependence negotiations
1977-78: New constitution being drafted; efforts to introduce federal Islamic law up to creating a Sharia
Supreme Court headed by a Grand Mufti with powers equal to Chief Justice of Federation;
defeated at last minute. Efforts backed by then and current president, General Obasanjo
1979-83: Era of first post-war civilian government led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Sharia issues raised but no
significant gains
1983-85: Era of brutal Buhari-Idiagbon dictatorship. Regime focused on repression, hence did not push
forward on Sharia agenda
1985-93: Era of Babangida dictatorship. Nigeria secretly enrolled in Organization of Islamic Countries
(OIC) by General Babangida. Nigeria also joined the Islamic Development Bank
1993-98: Era of Abacha dictatorship. Nigeria openly participates in OIC and D8 (Islamic Development
Conference) meetings.
1999 - Present: Proclamation of Sharia Law and emergence of nine Islamic States in northern Nigeria.
President Obasanjo declines to mount constitutional challenge; insists not a problem