wake of what unfolded in Biafra, doctors and journalists formed Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF.
Biafra today
The war ended in January 1970 with the surrender of the Republic of Biafra, which dissolved and was reincorporated into Nigeria. The federal government’ s “no victor, no vanquished policy” was promoted to foster national unity.
But today, the pro-Biafra movement is back and louder than ever.
Dozens of pro-Biafra activists were arrested last week in cities across southeastern Nigeria.
Last year’s May 30 Biafra Remembrance Day ended in what Amnesty International described as part of a “chilling crackdown” that left at least 60 peaceful pro-Biafran activists dead at the hands of Nigerian security forces. An investigation by the organisation revealed that more than 150 pro-Biafrans were killed from August 2015 to August 2016.
“The night before the rally, the security forces raided homes and a church where IPOB members were sleeping,” the report reads.
Amnesty International has released a statement recommending that the Nigerian security forces not repress today’s Biafra Remembrance Day activities.
Nigerian federal government officials say the country must remain united.
“They say that secession is the answer to the charges of marginalisation,” said Acting President Yemi Osinbajo during a Biafra civil forum last week in Abuja. “Brothers and sisters, permit me to differ and to suggest that we’re greater together than apart.”
But people like Amah and Kanu no longer identify as Nigerians. They say Nigeria has failed them. They are Biafrans.
And with that Kanu stands up and goes outside to meet the people who have waited hours to see him.
Source: Al Jazeera
