Nigerians protest against the operations of Amnesty International in the country

On Tuesday 11, February 2020, a group of protesters stormed the Abuja office of Amnesty International (AI), a human rights group demanding they retire from Nigeria.

The protesters who arrived at the office in large numbers accused the human rights group of aiding insecurity in Nigeria which destabilized the country. In their rage, the demonstrators barricaded the road leading to the entrance preventing movement around the premises.

Some of the placards carried by the protesters include: “Amnesty International is backing terrorism in Nigeria,” “Amnesty International you are the wheel behind Boko Haram, IMN, IPOB, and ISWAP”, and “Amnesty International bury your head in shame,” amongst others.

Although Amnesty International is yet to officially react to the situation, they took to Twitter sharing photos and videos of the protest.

On going protest at our office, #Abuja; pic.twitter.com/QEwZm7ry5B

— Amnesty Int. Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) February 11, 2020

Following the protest, pro-amnesty International supporters gave the protesters 48 hours to apologize to Nigerians for their actions. Referring to AI as “the truth” Kunle Ajayi leader of the supporter’s group said, “We hereby give the sponsors of those protesters who are not real protesters but hoodlums 48 hours to apologize to Nigerians for saying that the truth should leave Nigeria.”

Ajayi claimed that Amnesty International has been a voice and advocate of many Nigerians for years and that the protesters “are completely wrong because they are being sponsored by those who hate justice, hate the truth and want Nigeria to be barbaric.” He added that if the protesters are asking AI to leave Nigeria, it is equivalent to saying “Justice and the truth” should leave the country. 

This is however not the first time protesters are demanding that Amnesty International pulls out from Nigeria. The most recent in August 2019 had the protesters accuse AI of being critical to Buhari’s administration and forcefully urging them to exit the country. 

Reacting to the protest, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in a tweet said that they “strongly condemn the apparently sponsored protest” against Amnesty Nigeria and that the “Nigerian authorities must ensure that AI and other NGOs can operate freely and without any harassment.”

We strongly condemn the apparently sponsored protest today targeting @AmnestyNigeria and putting the security and safety of their staff members and others at risk.

The Nigerian authorities must ensure that AI and other NGOs can operate freely and without any harassment.

— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) February 11, 2020

In a 2018 report by CNN, the Nigerian government accused Amnesty International of “damaging the morale” of its soldiers fighting terrorism in the Northeast. President Muhammadu Buhari, therefore, urged the UK-based rights group to re-examine its operations in the country, especially as they relate to the war against terrorism. “The Nigerian Army has no option than to call for the closure of Amnesty International offices in Nigeria if such recklessness continues,” Army spokesman, Gen. Sani Usman said.

As the world’s largest human rights organization, Amnesty International moved to Nigeria with the aim of protecting and promoting all human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They have reported extensively on the Boko Haram terrorists and carried out several projects to aid the Nigerian government in eliminating the jihadist group. Although there is no evidence surrounding the reason why Nigerians are calling for their departure, the Nigerian government needs to address recent developments.

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CBN restricts forex for milk imports despite concern over local production capacity

Nigeria’s central bank has officially tightened the noose on milk importation with a restriction on access to foreign currency that covers all but six importers of the dairy.

This comes on the back of an earlier notice by the bank in July, when it disclosed intentions to add milk imports to its restricted list for dollar sales, in order to spur production in the local industry. Later in the year, the bank removed milk from the list of imports eligible under payment terms known as “bills for collection,” which allowed importers to buy on credit.

Initial speculations had suggested that the CBN would impose a total ban on access to foreign currency for the imports. But six companies were exempted because they had keyed into a backward integration program meant to enhance their capacity and improve local milk production, the apex bank said Tuesday. They include FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria; Chi Limited; TG Arla Dairy Products Limited; Promasidor Nigeria Limited; Nestle Nigeria PLC (MSK only), and Integrated Dairies Limited.

According to the circular issued by CBN, the new policy takes immediate effect, as all Forms ‘M’ for the importation of milk and its derivatives by authorized dealers will only be allowed for the stated companies.

The short-term goal is to increase milk production in the country from the current figure of 500,000 metric tonnes to about 550,000 metric tonnes within the next 12 months, Isaac Okorafor, CBN’s spokesperson, said. In the long run, however, the plan is to reduce substantially the $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion spent on milk imports annually.

Diversifying the economy away from oil and reducing imports of products that can be produced locally to conserve dollar reserves have been key policy objectives of the current administration. In 2015, the central bank restricted access to forex for 41 items which it said can be produced in Nigeria.

Industry groups had been lobbying the government against the bank’s planned, and now effected, dollar curb, due to the incapacity of domestic milk production to meet local demand. Nigeria relies heavily on imports for most of what its nearly 200 million population consumes. While the annual local demand for milk stands at an average of 1.7 million tonnes, the country produces less than 600,000 tonnes locally and imports a balance of over 1.1 million tonnes.

But there is undeniable potential in Nigeria’s local milk industry that could be harnessed with deliberate and properly implemented policies, and the adoption of an intensive system of animal husbandry. In addition to the six companies that plan to invest in local production, the central bank has hinted at extending low-interest loans to local milk producers to improve production while discouraging imports.

Meanwhile, there are now 44 items on the list of restricted commodities from accessing forex at the official rate. The CBN added textile and other clothing materials to the list of 42 items last year, together with the new restriction on the importation of milk and its derivatives.

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Putting an end to gender based violence in Sierra Leone will take more than an emergency declaration

Every year, thousands of women, girls and even babies are victims of sexual and gender-based violence in Sierra Leone. In response to this growing challenge, President Julius Maada Bio declared a national emergency over the state in 2019. The declaration followed a series of relentless campaigns by grassroots groups after the rape of a five-year-old girl, who was left paralyzed from the waist down.

Prior to this development, statistics revealed that the reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence nearly doubled in the country in 2018. According to police statistics, the reported cases were over 8,500, a third of which involved minors. Activists, including First Lady Fatima Bio, said the actual figures are much higher as most cases are never reported.

Fatima Bio led a demonstration in the capital to raise awareness on the issue in December 2018. Since then she has launched a”Hands Off Our Girls” campaign across West Africa which she uses as a platform to speak against sexual violence.

This enabled the government to enact drastic measures without parliamentary approval, including the introduction of maximum life sentences for those found guilty of sexually abusing a minor.

Activists welcomed what they saw as willingness from top officials to put sexual and gender-based violence on the national agenda and tackle a taboo that has long plagued the West African country. Gender-based violence is traditionally seen as a taboo topic in Sierra Leone. Only 12 years ago, its parliament passed the first gender equality laws in 46 years of independence, following efforts by women’s rights groups.

How effective was the declaration?

It’s been one year since Bio’s announcement, as well as the quiet revoke of the state of emergency in June. There have also been different opinions regarding the effectiveness of the government’s action in creating long-term change.

“There has been a difference in the response to the issue because people are better informed. There is the political will and so the reporting of cases has increased,”  said Alison French, advocacy and communications director for the Rainbo Initiative.

On the contrary, emergency measures lasted only until the June revocation, and no money was allocated to implementing promises made during the period; including free hospital care for rape survivors and a hotline for reporting abuse. Analysts have also questioned the necessity of the proclamation, saying that many of the changes could have been made through regular legal channels.

Following the end of the state of emergency, parliament passed The Sexual Offenses Amendment Act, 2019, which increased the maximum penalty for rape and sexual penetration of a child from 15 years to life imprisonment and criminalized the so-called “compromise,” in which the offence is settled by family members or village heads, without police involvement.

While some hope the amendment will act as a deterrent to attackers, others say tough sentences could discourage survivors from reporting abuse as assaults often occur in tight-knit communities and survivors may face social pressure not to come forward.

Even when armed with the tough new legislation, Sierra Leone’s legal system faces several hurdles in prosecuting sexual abuse cases. Understaffing and a lack of resources and equipment are common, while police, lawyers and judges are overworked and underpaid, Schneider said. Heavy caseloads, meanwhile, mean litigants often wait years until their cases are heard.

There is still a lot to be done to improve countrywide access to legal and health services while ensuring that everyone is treated equally before the law. Establishing forensic labs and making rape kits available would also help to strengthen the legal response to incidents of sexual and gender-based violence.

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Guinness Night Football Pan African, Lagos

International football icon, Rio Ferdinand graced the Guinness Night Football Pan African extravaganza, on the 31st of January 2019 at the luxury, Legend hotel Ikeja. The football tournament united Africans from Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, and Kenya to experience unconventional football in a dark, glowing and colourful ambience.

African celebrities and football lovers from across the continent displayed their football skills in an exciting 5-A-Side soccer match between Team Bold and Team Harp. The vibrant teams featured international music star, Davido alongside Sauti Sol of Kenya, BebeCool of Uganda, and Salasi of Cameroun, while Rio Ferdinand served as the game referee.

Davido, Sauti Sol, BebeCool ,Salasi and Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand

Alongside the football action, there were a lot more activities lined up for fun seekers and sports lovers to explore. Some of which include enjoying the fan-favourite beer infused with different flavours served in a wide range of assorted cocktails and exotic cuisines.

The finale also featured fashionable Guinness branded apparels, all of which were custom made by urban designer– Drik.

The crowd enjoyed an intriguing movie showing at the venue, courtesy of Film house. The audience also got a chance to express themselves in artistic body painting and henna.

A showcase of friendly rivalry on the pitch as guests also had a wide range of football-themed games like foosball; a goal four-post and PlayStation video games.

The GNF campaign happened across Africa, from Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, and Nigeria, with 3 incredible legs in Nigeria. It started with Enugu on the 21st of January 2019, then Lagos on the 28th of January 2019 and moved to Abuja on the 18th of January 2020.  The tour showcased Africa’s passion for the sport and Guinness’s commitment to African football.

The unconventional experience also featured amazing musical performances by African Voices star, Davido, Peruzzi, Sauti Sol, BebeCool, and Salasi.

Peruzzi

Bebe cool

Sauti sol

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Follow #GuinnessNightFootball #JoinTheVibe #ForTheLoveOfFootball.

18+ … Drink Responsibly.

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ECOWAS set to investigate Nigeria’s land border closure

Following the outcry of west African countries over the indefinite closure of land borders in Nigeria since 2019, the Economic Community of West Africa States-ECOWAS on February 9th, 2020, inaugurated a committee  “to study and make a full report on Nigeria’s land border closure with its neighbour.

The committee will also investigate the impact of closed land port of entries for goods and commodities across the country.

The Nigerian foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said the report will be ready “as soon as possible,” however there is no official deadline. 

Nigeria stopped the movement of products and commodities within its borders mainly due to smuggling activities that affect the trading and security of the country.

Its neighbouring countries: Benin, Cameroon, and Niger have complained about the serious decline in trade activities due to the border closure, as they depend largely on the African giant’s economy, population, and commodities.

However, the Nigerian government cited noncompliance from neighbouring countries to the ‘’established protocol for transiting of goods” in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) as one of the reasons for the closure. The government believes their(neighbours) feeble enforcement of trade policies and laws permits smuggling of drugs, weapons and other contrabands into its territory.

‘’We must compel our neighbours to agree to sign the documents that will enable us to execute the exact letter of the protocol on the transit of goods’’ said Hameed Ali, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service.

Nigeria remains rigid about the issues surrounding the infinite closure of land border as the country expects it’s West African brothers to address all complaints before welcoming land trade again. Hammed Ali cited an example using Niger republic –  he said ‘’Niger has agreed that no more exportation of rice in any form to Nigeria, this is the type of thing we are looking forward to. unless we get to that level, the borders will remain closed’’.

In the nearest future, Nigeria has the potential to trade significantly with the 53 African countries due to the African continental free trade agreement in 2019. To prepare ahead for this big market, the current strict approach to mitigate smuggling activities may largely favour Nigeria, as it sets the boundaries on what is acceptable to its neighbours in terms of goods and commodities. 

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Mali opts for talks with terrorist Jihadist groups

On Monday, Mali’s President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita announced that the government was prepared to talk with jihadist groups. The aim is to end the violent activities of the Islamist militants. This decision seems to have been propelled by escalating killings in the country’s central and northern regions.

According to a news report, Keita said that “the number of dead in the Sahel is becoming exponential,” adding that it was time for “certain avenues to be explored.” 

Going by further comments made, the Malian government seems to have a knowledge of those that are directly involved in the activities of these jihadists. In the report, the President’s statement read, “why not try to contact those who we know are pulling the strings.”

Although Keita did not say what was being done to talk to Islamist groups, he hinted that the former president and high representative to central Mali, Dioncounda Traore, “has the task of listening to everyone.”

Mali is one of the five countries in the G-5 Sahel initiative backed by the French military troop since 1st August 2014, when France began an anti-insurgent mission in the region called “Operation Barkhane”. Other countries in the G-5 Sahel include Niger, Mauritania, Chad and Burkina Faso. The purpose of G-5 Sahel is to strengthen the bond between economic development and security and together battle the threat of jihadist insurgency operating in the region. The United Nations also has a 14,000-strong peacekeeping mission in the region.

However, in December last year, there was growing anti-French sentiment in the region which insinuated that the escalations of bloodshed were due to the presence of the French military troops in the region. This made France demand that the leader of the G-5 Sahel dismissed growing anti-French sentiment across the region if they wanted its military to continue its mission against Islamist militants. President Emmanuel Macron made the demands after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in London.  

This new move by the government to negotiate with the terrorist group will be directly working against all that the French mission stands for. It would also register their position in the anti-French sentiments. If the country goes along with the decision, it may further legitimize the groups and their ideologies in the country, leaving the government at their mercy.  

Last year, the International Crisis Group said that seeking dialogue with jihadists may encounter some opposition within Mali and abroad from those who fear it could legitimize the groups and their ideas.

France has recently said it would send 600 more soldiers to add to the 4,500 it already has, to tackle armed groups. But last week, a UN top humanitarian official in Mali, Ute Kollias, said that extra troops would not solve the crisis and urged political engagement.

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Ivorian security forces confiscate $40 million worth of cocaine

Security forces in Ivory Coast have confiscated $40 million of cocaine in the country’s coastlines. This seizure, which occurred on Tuesday, 4th of February 2020, is the biggest the country has ever recorded.

Communication Advisor, Yves Zogbo Jr, stated that “security forces launched a maritime operation to seize 411 kilograms of cocaine on the high seas.” The cargo is believed to have arrived as a single consignment from Brazil before being transferred onto three smaller boats, he said.

The geographic makeup of the Ivory Coast has made it vulnerable to various forms of illicit trafficking. It occupies a central position in the West African region and has porous borders. This puts the country in a vicious position as a country of origin, transit, and destination for illegal trafficking. With a population of about 20 million people, a large percentage of its youth are actively involved in drug abuse as the government battles to curb illicit drug production and consumption.

In a bid to accurately address the threat of transnational organized crimes, including drug trafficking, UNODC, DPA/UNOWAS, DPKO, and INTERPOL, in 2009, launched the West African Coast Initiative (WACI), to support the implementation of the ECOWAS “Action Plan to Address the Growing Problem of Illicit Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Drug Abuse” in the sub-region. WACI led to the creation of Transnational Crime Units (TCU), meant to enhance national and international coordination, as well as to enable intelligence-based investigations. 

TCUs are elite inter-agency units, trained and equipped to fight transnational organized crime and to coordinate their activities in an international framework. As of 2016, TCUs were fully operational in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau, and in the start-up phase in Côte d’Ivoire. Over time, the Ivorian government has enhanced its unit, which helps collect and share information about drug trafficking and other forms of illicit smuggling. 

Also, in October 2018, the British government delivered a device that could help in the detection of illicit substances during anti-smuggling operations to the country. The device was donated to aid efficient investigation of all types of smuggling and trafficking.

A 2013 survey shows that enforcement agencies have seized several types of drugs and narcotics such as heroin, cannabis, ephedrine, cocaine, benzodiazepines, hashish and a large number of prohibited products in recent times. Before now, all these products were seized on large scales and frequently but the country has experienced a net decrease recently due to tightened security measures by the government.

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