Christian Genocide And Jihadist Massacres In Nigeria: Why International Support For Biafra Referendum Is A Necessary Solution

Christian Genocide And Jihadist Massacres In Nigeria: Why International Support For Biafra Referendum Is A Necessary Solution ‎ ‎Nigeria has...

Christian Genocide And Jihadist Massacres In Nigeria: Why International Support For Biafra Referendum Is A Necessary Solution

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‎Nigeria has become one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian and proudly practice the Christian faith. According to various international human rights organizations and religious freedom watchdogs, tens of thousands of Christians have been killed over the past fifteen(15) years in attacks by Islamic jihadist groups, with the violence intensifying in the last 5 years. These attacks occur across multiple regions in Nigeria; from the northeastern strongholds of Boko Haram to the Middle Belt states, down to the Eastern states; where farming communities face repeated raids by armed Fulani Jihadist herdsmen.

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‎Middle belt and Southern Christians, primarily in the Eastern region, have faced increasing violent attacks from jihadist terrorist groups and systemic neglect from the Nigerian Muslim led-government. The attacks, mass killings, manifest in brutal forms: entire villages are razed, churches are burned during services, mass kidnappings of schoolchildren, worshippers, travellers and systematic displacement of Christian populations from their ancestral lands and communities, with no sign of rescue from the Nigerian establishment. Women and girls face various horrors, including sexual violence and forced conversion to Islam. The pattern and persistence of these attacks reveal a calculated use of violent activities with genocidal intent on Christian communities and worshipers by these jihadist terrorist groups.

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‎This dire situation calls for urgent international attention and decisive action beyond just diplomatic rhetorics. To bring an end to this ongoing religious crisis in Nigeria (a country with over 230 million people and 110+ million Christians), concerted solution-based-efforts beyond just pressuring the Nigerian government through diplomatic sanctions and military collaborations must be considered and implemented.

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‎One of such solution-based-efforts to address the coordinated jihadist attacks and systemic injustice faced by these displaced Christian communities and regions in Nigeria is a peaceful referendum for an independent Biafran State.

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‎The call for a Biafran state emerged first in the late 1960s, which was birthed following the mass killings of Igbos Christians that resided across northern parts of Nigeria. Since the last decade, the Biafran quest has resurfaced as a legitimate response to the ongoing religious violence, persecution and cultural erasure faced by every regions of Nigeria.

‎Millions of Biafrans see Biafra as a pathway to self-determination, social justice, and a mechanism to ensure safety and security for Christians in Nigeria.

‎The Case For Right To Self-determination And A Peaceful Referendum

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‎Various International laws and charters uphold the right to self-determination. The Biafran population are entitled to this same right and has continued to express their desire for autonomy and independence.

A peaceful referendum would provide a democratic means for the people of Eastern Nigeria who are predominantly Christians to determine their socio-political and religious future.

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‎Promoting Stability

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‎Supporting a peaceful Biafra referendum offers a proactive approach to conflict resolution especially targeted at ending and preventing further occurrence of the ongoing Christian genocide perpetrated by Jihadist elements in Nigeria. Allowing the Biafran people to decide their political status would give a sense of closure to persecuted Christian communities, and contribute to greater stability in Nigeria, and the entire West African region. Historically, forced unity has led to further discontent and religious violence; British India of 1947 is a reference.

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‎A Biafra referendum would serve as a critical step in addressing the grievances of not just the Biafran people but for other regions under religious persecution, thereby preventing further bloodshed. The international community's endorsement of this process would send a strong message, advocating for human rights and a rule-based international order.

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‎Supporting a Biafra referendum aligns with global initiatives promoting democracy, human rights, and peace-building. International involvement, support and implementation of a Biafra referendum would bolster diplomatic ties with the emerging Biafran nation and strengthen the global commitment to addressing human rights violations, upholding international laws especially right to Self-determination and stamping out religious genocidal threats in the part of the World.

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‎The plight of Christians in Nigeria cannot be ignored any longer. The peaceful Biafra referendum represents an opportunity to codify human rights, promote self-determination, and foster sustainable peace in the West African region. International support is crucial to ensure that this referendum is conducted free from Nigerian government's manipulation and violence. It is time for the global community to stand alongside the Biafran people and other persecuted communities in Nigeria that are advocating for their rights and working towards a future where all can coexist harmoniously, regardless of their religious beliefs.

With this proactive yet historic action, the international community, especially the United Nations, United States of America, and other Christian and human rights conscious nations can contribute to ending the horrific cycle of religious violence, persecution, systemic injustice and coordinated genocide against Christians and Christianity in Nigeria once and for all.

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‎Family Writers Press International