Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
Flag Biafra.png The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a self-determination movement based in Southeast Nigeria, with the primary goal of re- establishing an independent state of Biafra, separate from the rest of Nigeria. IPOB emerged in 2012 and is deeply committed to advocating for the right to self-determination, a fundamental principle enshrined in international law. The movement argues that the people of the South-eastern region should have the opportunity to determine their political future through a democratic referendum.
IPOB’s core belief canters on the perceived marginalization and oppression of the South-eastern people within the Nigerian state.[1] They assert that this marginalized status necessitates their right to self-determination. It's worth noting that historical factors, including this sense of marginalization,[2] contributed to the Nigerian Civil War (i967-1970)[3] during which the South-eastern region sought to secede from Nigeria and establish an independent state of Biafra. The conflict ultimately ended with Biafra's defeat and its reintegration into Nigeria.
To further their cause, IPOB operates Radio Biafra,[4] an online radio station that broadcasts messages related to Biafra's independence and the pursuit of self-determination. Nnamdi Kanu, a prominent figure within the movement, served as both the Director of Radio Biafra and Biafra TV.
However, it's important to note that the Nigerian government has designated IPOB as a terrorist organization.[5] This proscription has posed significant legal challenges for the group, resulting in the arrest and detention of numerous members. Additionally, IPOB has been the subject of military operations conducted by the Nigerian government.[6]
In response to perceived injustices, IPOB has resorted to legal action to challenge government policies and actions that they believe are detrimental to the Igbo people and their aspirations for self-determination.[7] The movement's history and objectives are complex, and its activities have elicited varied reactions and opinions, both within Nigeria and on the international stage.[8]
Contents
History
Leadership
IPOB operates with a semi-decentralized command and control structure, with leadership provided by Maazi Nnamdi Kanu. At the highest level of decision-making within the separatist movement is the Directorate of State (DOS), comprising 15 members, and based in Germany. This body plays a central role in shaping the movement's direction and strategy.
Beneath the DOS are regional representatives, including those for Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa. These representatives work to coordinate activities and engagements within their respective regions.
Within Nigeria, particularly in the South-East and South-South regions, IPOB has established structures that include state coordinators, zonal coordinators, and unit coordinators at the local government and community levels, respectively. These coordinators play essential roles in managing and organizing the movement's activities at the state, zonal, and local levels.
This structure allows IPOB to operate effectively, mobilize support, and coordinate its activities across different geographical areas, both within Nigeria and internationally.
IPOB Mission Statement
The acronym IPOB stands for Indigenous People of Biafra. We are indigenous to the geographic space called Biafra and we originate from a single ancestry. The indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) incorporates those Biafrans resident in Biafraland and in the Diaspora bound and united by one single objective which is to explore and utilize every available legal domestic and international framework as well as universally guaranteed rules and procedures to assert the right of Self-determination for the Biafran people and eventually be able to determine our own economic, political, legal and cultural systems in a Sovereign and Independent Biafran nation.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide families are accorded official and legal status in over 80 countries throughout the world. These established structures in different countries of the world are the official representatives of the Indigenous People of Biafra with the sole responsibility to deal and communicate directly with the government and people of their host countries in order to bring to their attention and knowledge the atrocities being committed against Biafrans by the Nigerian establishment.
Our Objectives
- Having recognized that endowment from the Most-High, we the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) affirm our right to Self- determination. We affirm our immutable right to freely determine our economic, political and cultural systems, as recognized, guaranteed and proclaimed through the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous peoples to Self Determination and Articles V, VI, VII and XII of the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights (ratified and domesticated by Nigeria in 1983.
- Taking into account the danger of extinction facing us as a people, we have taken up the task of ensuring the conservation of the Cultural Heritage and National Values of the indigenous people of Biafra for the benefit of our Children and for the generation of Biafrans yet unborn.
- Whereas Biafrans have suffered untold violence and violation of our Fundamental Human Rights at the hands of the Nigerian State establishment, the protection of these universal fundamental human rights of the indigenous people of Biafra Including the rights to self-determination as expressed in the Charter of the United Nations Organisation UNO, the general Declaration of Human Rights, international Human Rights and the United Nations Declaration of 2007 on the rights of indigenous peoples are objectives which we are prepared to sacrifice our lives for the benefit of our children.
- We have taken up the responsibility to utilize all legally permissible international rules and processes to further protect, defend and pursue our right of self determination as expressed in the United Nations Declarations of 2007 concerning the rights of indigenous people especially Art 3 and 4.
Our Vision
It is our conviction that a sovereign independent Biafran nation will be the crystallization of the cherished hope and aspiration of a people who see in the establishment of this territory the last hope for peace and security but above all a last hope for the survival of a people whose existence is under great threat of extinction.
We the Indigenous people of Biafra made a deliberate decision and choice and adopted a Non-violent methodology in the pursuit of our ultimate goal of an independent and Sovereign Biafran nation.
The Biafra which we agitate for, that Biafra for which the ultimate price has been paid by millions of Biafrans of which one in which:
- Sanctity of life is respected
- Our dignity of as a people is restored
- Individual rights and liberties are recognised and protected
- The rule of Law is paramount, and all are answerable to and equal before the Law
- A Biafran nation that will take its appropriate pride of place amongst the comity of Nations
References
- ↑ "Home" (in en-US). https://www.thecable.ng/.
- ↑ Chioke, Stephen (2022-03-28). "Politics of Marginalisation of Igbo Nation in Nigerian Public Administration and Insecurity: A Blessing or a Curse?" (in en). Extensive Reviews 2 (1): 56–68. doi:10.21467/exr.2.1.4740. https://journals.aijr.org/index.php/exr/article/view/4740.
- ↑ Mbah, Fidelis. "Nigerians mark 50 years of end of bloody civil war" (in en). https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/1/15/nigerians-mark-50-years-of-end-of-bloody-civil-war.
- ↑ "Home" (in en-GB). 2023-10-03. https://radiobiafra.co/.
- ↑ "The python does not dance…" (in en-US). 2017-09-19. https://www.thecable.ng/python-not-dance.
- ↑ Nwangwu, Chikodiri (2023). "Neo-Biafra Separatist Agitations, State Repression and Insecurity in South-East, Nigeria". Society 60 (1): 40–53. doi:10.1007/s12115-022-00782-0. ISSN 0147-2011. PMC 9667008. PMID 36406241. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36406241/.
- ↑ "Nigerian security clash with Biafra separatists turns deadly - DSS" (in en). Reuters. 2020-08-23. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-security-idUSKBN25J0XA.
- ↑ "Nigeria: ‘Bullets were raining everywhere’: Deadly repression of pro-Biafra activists" (in en). https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr44/5211/2016/en/.
