Across many countries in Africa, communities are facing violence and oppression as they stand up for human rights and defend their safety and freedom. In many countries, governments and citizens are even calling states of emergency. At Youth4Nature, we know that climate justice is intimately tied to human rights and the fight for social justice.
This blog began from our desire to bring awareness to the #EndSARS crisis that is ongoing in Nigeria. After conversations with our brothers and sisters across Africa, we felt it was important to shine light on the many violent crises taking place across the region, especially those which do not often receive international mainstream media attention.
Most importantly - to our colleagues, partners, friends and families across the continent, we stand in solidarity with you and all who are affected by these crises. We hope that we can help bring attention - and therefore action - to support you and our community in Africa, as we demand a better future for all.
Background
Nigeria #EndSARS
It has been an overwhelming couple of weeks in Nigeria following the recent unwelcomed events in the country. Many geopolitical zones have had to make calls to the Nigerian government to urgently commit to restoring peace in the country and come to the aid of innocent Nigerians that are losing lives and properties to armed individuals, including a unit of the police force that swore to protect these same citizens.
Since early October, young Nigerians have been taking to the streets to demand reform of a particular unit of the police force in Nigeria, called Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), because of their illegal and inhumane acts which include unlawful killings, extortion, and torture of Nigerians. It is this same unit of police that was originally established to combat armed robbery. There have been recent escalations, this call for change has been ongoing since 2016 when young people called for reform and received false information that the unit was disbanded. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, these same lies were told to the public, while the inhumane acts of the SARS unit continued.
Due to this history of false information from the government, it is understandable for people to trust only the implementation of demands, instead of just words from decision makers. This is what further strengthened the well-coordinated peaceful protest in different parts of the country in mid-October. Unfortunately this protest was hijacked by individuals seeking violence.
Organisers of the peaceful demonstrations urged protestors to remain peaceful, stating that anyone acting otherwise would be charged accordingly. However, what took place was a common scene experienced by rights-seekers globally - peaceful protestors were attacked by violent individuals while police stood by and sided with violence.
On Tuesday October 20, this led to a curfew of 7:00pm being declared in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, approximately four hours before it was due to start. With the curfew affecting almost 20 million people, it is challenging to understand how everyone could be informed and in their homes at the designated time. Recognizing this, the governor of the state postponed the curfew to take effect by 9:00 pm Nigerian time. Many protesters refused to abandon their protests before the new curfew time, as it was seen as an attempt to disrupt their peaceful protests of this police unit. Despite the new curfew, the police unit stormed the area and shot and killed many peaceful protestors under the guise of enforcing the 7:00pm curfew.
Nigerians still have many questions around the incident, and many people that anticipated responses from the President's speech were met with disappointment. At this point, communities are only hopeful that the government will not go back on their word, and effect the reform that young people have demanded in the police unit to ensure an end to this police brutality. All that was asked for was that humanity and peace be restored, nothing more.
Resources:
Nigeria's youth finds its voice with the EndSARS protest movement
A look at the #EndSARS movement and why Nigerians are protesting against police brutality
A stand for Equity & Justice
At Y4N, these injustices remind us to root our work in our guiding values to centre people, equity, and justice. These crises call for us to affirm our commitment to (un)learning, and to advocate for systems thinking and system change. As we continue to connect our network of ambitious and active leaders from across the globe, our work breaks down intercultural barriers and biases and builds up solidarity. As we mobilise for change, we think beyond the silos of nature or climate and connect the dots of intergenerational, international and interdisciplinary action that aims for equity and justice for all.
Because it can never be said enough, our flight for the planet must put people first. It must take root in justice. We must leave no one behind. As an international community, we must show up for human rights defenders.
Ways To Help
Learn:
Congo #CongoIsBleeding
Background: Mining companies and the conglomerates they supply are forcing the Congolese into extreme working conditions for the retrieval of precious materials in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) These precious materials are used to make high-tech devices by brands we all know, like Apple. Miners and their communities bear the burden of these devices, some paying with their lives.
Resources:
#CongoIsBleeding: New hashtag draws attention to deadly exploitation in Congolese mines
Congo Is Bleeding: The Forgotten Unrests In The Heart Of Africa
Ivory Coast & Ghana #ChildTrafficking
Background: Cocoa plantations and the chocolate supply chain are extorting children for cheap labour to save costs. This is an issue that has been present for years.
Resources for this
Child labour rising in Ghana and Ivory Coast’s cocoa farms: Study
Cote d'Ivoire: Ivory Coast Rescues 137 Child Trafficking Victims
West African countries on alert for child labor spike due to coronavirus
Liberia #RapeNationalEmergency
Background: In August, there were nation-wide protests in Liberia against the rising instances of sexual assault that lead to the President, George Weah, declaring rape as a national emergency.
Resources:
Liberia declares rape a national emergency after spike in cases
Liberia president Weah declares rape a national emergency after protests
Cameroon #AnglophoneCrisis
Background: Escalating tensions between francophone and anglophone regions in Cameroon have led to nationwide unrest. Anglophones in Cameroon have been the target of discrimination and sometimes violence, with children in schools having been gunned down.
Resources:
Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis is back on the global agenda after school children are killed by gunmen
Cameroon: Killing of eight schoolchildren is a new low in devastating Anglophone crisis
South Africa #AmINext
Background: “Femicide—the killing of women by intimate partners or as the result of gender-based practices—and other gender-based violence is on the rise in South Africa, following the gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions which began on June 1” (Foreign Policy, July 30, 2020).
Resources:
Namibia #ShutItAllDown
Background: Similarly in Namibia, protests continue against the continuation of femicide and sexual abuse, with 3 rape cases being reported every day this year, and countless more unreported.
Resources:
#ShutItAllDown: Namibian women are tired of being victims of sexual and gender violence
Anti-femicide protesters call for a state of emergency in Namibia
Ugandan Political Violence November 2020
Background: This follows political rivalry between the incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Museveni & the Youth Presidential candidate Bobi Wine. Bobi`s arrest by the government sparked high tension in the country which has left many dead, property lost and others homeless.
Resources:
Uganda’s election run-up has turned deadly after opposition candidates were arrested
Violent clashes in Uganda after pop star politician detained
Tigray War Ethiopia
Background: This is an ethnic based conflict that has lasted in the country for decades. The Tigray region controlled national leadership up until 2018 when the current Prime Minister and Nobel Laureate Abiy Ahmed took over, with hopes for reform and national unity. However, there have been killings of leaders and violence that has erupted badly in November 2020. The Tigray region went ahead to conduct regional elections despite the call to halt all elections nationally, which spurred the new conflict further. This conflict will likely de-stabilize peace in countries to the Horn of Africa.
Resources:
Ethiopia, led by a Nobel peace winner, is looking down the barrel of civil war
Tigray’s War Against Ethiopia Isn’t About Autonomy. It’s About Economic Power
Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: How the conflict could destabilise its neighbours
Amplify:
Use the hashtags noted above to raise international awareness. Pressure political leaders to take action and be held accountable for inaction. Raise the conversation within your own social circles offline as well.
Show up:
If it is safe for you to do so, attend your local solidarity action events in support of these movements. A simple search of the one of the hashtags and your location will provide information about local actions.
If there are additional actions that our community members can take, please share with us by reaching out to hello@youth4nature.org.