Biafra : IPOB joyous over successful meeting with UN in Geneva
. UN moves to probe alleged visa denial to Nnamdi Kanu’s family by Swiss embassy in Abuja
By Steve Oko
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has expressed joy and satisfaction over the success recorded in its first ever official meeting with the United Nations in Geneva on September 14.
According to IPOB, the meeting which was at the instance of UN was very symbolic as it confirms that the efforts by IPOB towards Biafra restoration were recognised by the world body.
IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said a number of issues concerning Biafra and the persecutions by the Nigerian authorities were discussed at the meeting.
The statement said some other knotty issues over the Biafra struggle including rights violations by security operatives would be ironed out in subsequent engagements.
“This is the very first time that United Nations have had the opportunity to host Biafrans to a meeting. It is only appropriate that we appreciate all those working tirelessly hard with our diplomatic team based in London to accomplish this feat.
“The historic encounter with United Nations officials in Geneva has opened up avenues and opportunities for further engagement between IPOB and relevant UN agencies around the burning issues of human rights violations by the Buhari regime and enforcement of IPOB’s universal right to self determination.”
IPOB commended its leadership and other critical diplomatic stakeholders that facilitated the meeting which it said had sent jitteries to the Nigerian Government.
“We the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) commend the leadership and delegation led by the deputy leader Mazi Uche Mefor to the United Nations On September 14, same day Biafrans were remembering the victims of the invasion of the home of our leader at Isiama Afaraukwu Umuahia.
“We equally commend the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (DOS-IPOB) under the distinguished leadership of Mazi Chika Edoziem who accompanied our deputy leader to the historical meeting in the company of the rest of the High Command of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
” This is the first time in the post war history of Biafra that the leadership of any group, movement or people has met with the United Nations in a face to face meeting to discuss anything pertaining to the plight of Biafrans or the Eastern Region.
“It was a historic encounter that will go a long way in cementing the diplomatic credentials of IPOB in the eyes of the international community”
IPOB was however, reserved over details of what transpired at the meeting, citing their sensitive nature as part of the reasons.
It also said UN promised to probe the alleged refusal by Swiss embassy in Abuja to grant entry visa to members of Nnamdi Kanu ‘s family who were also invited as eyewitness to the mass murder of Biafra agitators by security operatives during the military raid of the family compound on September 14, 2017.
“During the discussions, Uche Mefor pledged on behalf of the worldwide family of IPOB to commit the movement to working within the guidelines of United Nations charters and obligations in recognition of the unique privilege Nigeria currently enjoy as a full fledged member of the United Nations.
“Unfortunately, the Kanu family, whose United Nations invitation to the event was truncated by the Swiss embassy in Abuja alongside other first hand eye witness to the military invasion of Afaraukwu on September 14, 2017 the day over 28 persons were shot dead by the Nigerian military, was denied representation at the meeting because the Swiss embassy refused them entry visa to Switzerland on the instructions of the Nigerian government.
“This flagrant disregard for United Nations issued invitation was also raised during discussions which the UN team assured the IPOB delegation will be looked into as a matter of urgency.”
IPOB noted that contrary to the biased disposition of the Nigeria Government which unjustifiably proscribed it as a terrorist organization , UN and the international community have continued to recognise it as a credible organisation fighting a just cause.
It said that it had by the meeting achieved a feat never recorded since 50 years the Biafra war ended.
“With this meeting satisfactorily concluded, IPOB has gone where no other group of leaders before it has dared go to. It will forever be recorded that for nearly 50 years and for the very first time in the history of Biafra, an interface was facilitated between representatives of the people of Biafra (IPOB) and the United Nations.
“Due to issues of confidentiality, we are not at liberty to divulge every detail of what transpired. Suffice it to say they the world has been officially placed on notice that IPOB as a movement is determined to carve a separate existence for the people of Biafra (South East/South South) away from Nigeria.
“Anybody or group of people previously in doubt about the efficacy of our multidimensional approach has been dispelled with this meeting.
“IPOB leadership is working quietly on all diplomatic fronts, below the radar, to avoid the usual sabotage by the Nigerian state, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Igbo governors and their local agents that don’t want to see Biafra emerge as a free nation. “
End.
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