Family Writers Press International: Time for AU to Correct Historical Inaction on Biafra and Uphold Charter Principles

 Family Writers Press International: Time for AU to Correct Historical Inaction on Biafra and Uphold Charter Principles ‎The African Union (...

 Family Writers Press International: Time for AU to Correct Historical Inaction on Biafra and Uphold Charter Principles

‎The African Union (AU) having replaced the defunct 1963 Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 2001, was established to champion peace, unity, and the promotion of human rights across the continent. However, in the case of Biafra a region in Eastern Nigeria seeking independence AU's commitment has faltered. 

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‎The Biafran activism is a vivid illustration of the self-determination rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights adopted in 1986. As the world watches, it is imperative for the AU to take definitive action to uphold these rights and address the plight of indigenous nations across Africa, especially, the Biafran people.

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‎The African Charter articulates the right of all peoples to freely determine their political status and to pursue their social and economic development. It enshrines numerous principles aimed at protecting indigenous rights, making the AU's inaction in the face of Biafra's demands increasingly problematic. 

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‎Reasons Why the AU Must Uphold the right to Self-determination of Biafra:

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‎1. Fulfilling Foundational Principles:

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The AU's very mandate is to promote and protect human rights across the continent. By ignoring Biafra’s quest for self-determination, the AU fails to uphold its own fundamental principles, undermining its credibility within and outside the African continent.

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‎2. Legal Obligations Under the African Charter:

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‎The African Charter, adopted on October 21, 1986, explicitly supports the right to self-determination. The AU is obligated to take this into account and advocate for the rights of peoples such as the Biafrans in Nigeria, who seek autonomy due to historical and socio-political marginalization in Nigeria. 

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‎3. Correcting Historical Injustice: 

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‎The OAU, now replaced by AU, during the 1967-70  Biafran genocide committed by British-backed Nigerian government against the Biafran people, remained complacent and failed to support the right to Self-determination of Biafrans. Therefore, today's AU can correct that historical injustice by supporting and advocating for the right to Self-determination of the Indigenous People Of Biafra as enshrined in its own charter.

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‎4. Preserving Peace and Stability:

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‎The transnational terrorism ravaging across the continent, especially across sub Sahara Africa, has remained a big challenge to address in Africa. 

‎In Nigeria, there is a growing tension surrounding the spread of insecurity by jihadist networks and the need to create a safe sovereign nation to safeguard persecuted Middle Belt and Southern Nigerian Christians. Biafra’s right to Self-determination has the potential to end the religious conflict and violence as well as restore stability in Nigeria and West Africa region. By upholding the self-determination of Biafrans, the AU, with a vested interest in addressing these violence will proactively prevent a total humanitarian destabilization of West African Gulf of Guinea region and the African continent at large.

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‎5. Supporting Indigenous Rights:

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‎ Biafrans, as an indigenous population in Nigeria, have distinct cultural and historical identities. They are predominantly Christians and Traditionalists with socio-cultural homogeneity. Biafrans of former Eastern region of Nigeria comprise of sub-nations; Ijo, Efik, Igbo, Ibibio, Annang, Kalabari, etc, are peace-loving and industrious people seeking to chart a way to development. Upholding their right to self-determination aligns with global norms regarding the rights of indigenous peoples and motivates the AU to lead by example in recognizing these rights on the continent.

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‎6. AU's International Reputation And The South Sudan Example: 

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The African Union (AU)  historically supported the peaceful dissolution of Sudan and the right to self-determination of the South Sudanese people.

The AU played a significant role in the peace process that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, which ultimately paved the way for South Sudan's independence through a referendum in January 2011.

‎The AU's response (or lack thereof) to Biafra's situation is being  scrutinized globally as double standard. A failure to act on the Biafran cause like it did in the independence of South Sudan, diminishes the AU's authority and legitimacy, while a proactive stance can enhance its reputation as a defender of human rights in an increasingly interconnected world.

‎As the eyes of the international community remain focused on these ongoing developments, it is crucial for the AU to step up and champion the cause of Biafra. Upholding the self-determination of the Biafran people is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative that reflects the core values on which the African Union was built.

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‎Family Writers Press International