November 28 2022 | IPOB
There appears to be an eager expectation among Biafran masses that their leadership, the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should begin to look elsewhere for partnership in their quest to restore the sovereign Biafra.
Our inquest from across Biafraland showed that many Biafran people, especially the younger generation expect their leadership to begin to look elsewhere for international relationships. In fact, a great number of them said they would want their leaders to start courting the state of Russia to help them in the struggle.
From Igbanke to Igweocha (Port Harcourt); Warri to Akwa Ibom, there is a consensus among the people that the attempt to court the Western world countries like United States of America (USA) and Britain for more than 20 years now have proven to be an attempt in futility.
Ubom Udo (not his real name), who is a vibrant IPOB coordinator in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state told our reporters that “it is time our DOS (Directorate of State) quit trying to impress United and Kingdom and other imperial countries of the west, “truth be told, they should seek to impress Russia instead”, he said.
Cajetan Osuji, who hails from Imo State, but resides in Abakpa Nike in Enugu, describes himself as “a hardcore” Biafran. He told our reporter that going by what the West have permitted and enabled the Nigerian government to do to Biafrans and their resources, he saw no reason for Biafrans to continue to hope that they would have a change of heart. “Those people don’t just like us; they hate us”, he concluded.
Cyril Elekima, who hails from Bayelsa State but resides in Igweocha, expressed anger with the USA and the UK for their outright hatred for Biafra for years. Part of his words read: “In spite of all the sacrifices and efforts we have put up to show them that we can be better friends, they have always chosen to work with those who hate and afflict us.” According to him, “it is only those who hate you that will be comfortable aligning with your haters for more than 40 years without any pang of conscience”.
He also suggested that IPOB leadership should follow the lead being led by many African countries in current dispensation by refusing to align with the West. In a way, Elekima is right on this because, this appears to be the current thinking in many African countries. For instance, Assimi Goita, Malian leader, recently had to cancel many secret agreements his country had had with France in the past. He is known to have publicly declared his interest and alignment with Russia in terms of developmental and security challenges.
In Burkina Faso also, anti-French sentiments are rising and the people and government think the best international relationship and cooperation should now be with Russia. During a recent protest in the country, it was reported that protesters gave full expression to such sentiments. Some were recorded to be shouting: “We want Russia! We want collaboration with Mali! Down with France!!”
Perhaps such expressions to align with Russia shows strongly some African country’s reactions to how their external affairs ministers voted during the United Nations vote on the Russian/Ukrainian conflict.
Without any doubt, it is now on record that Madagascar’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Richard Rand Randriamandrato, was fired by his President, Andriy Rajoelina few days ago. In South Sudan, such development also played out. The President, Salva Kiir, was reported to have fired his foreign minister, Beatrice Khamisa Wani, for the same reason, and replaced her with Mayiik Ayii Deng.
In Tanzania, the story is the same, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in a minor Cabinet reshuffle which many believed came about because of the UN majority vote against Russia, sacked his Foreign Affairs Minister Liberata Mulamula.
For these reasons, Biafrans believe their interest as a people and country would be better sheltered in relationship with Russia, than Britain, USA, and other Western colonial powers.
Written by:
David Umahi
For: IPOB
Published by:
Chibuike Nebeokike
For: IPOB
