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Dame Emma Thompson and Annie Lennox are among the biggest names calling on British ministers to hold the Nigerian government to account for the escalating violence and unrest in the north.
Actors Kate Henshaw, Sir Simon Woolley, Baroness Saida, author Nels Abbey, campaigner Femi Oluwole, and activist Dr Shola Moss-Shogbamumu have also been accused of religiously motivated ideology and political factors. The ‘Stop Nigeria Genocide’ campaign was launched in response to the ongoing violence caused. and economic anxiety.
This comes as Nigeria celebrated 64 years of independence from Britain on Tuesday, the same day the campaign was announced.
The campaign group said in a statement: “Violence in Nigeria increasingly resembles a pattern of religiously motivated genocide, including systematic attacks on Christian communities in north-central Nigeria.
“Ongoing terrorism in Muslim communities from the northwest to the northeast and widespread insecurity in the southeast and south-south regions resulted in nearly 20,000 deaths between 2020 and 2023.”
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Dame Emma Thompson backs ‘Stop Nigeria Genocide’ campaign (PA archive)
In addition to the killings, more than 1,200 people have been abducted so far in 2024, the statement added.
It added: “Women and children were among the victims, and the destruction of homes, schools, and places of worship led to mass displacement, leaving millions of children out of school and devastated.” A humanitarian crisis is occurring.”
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu was elected in 2023 on a promise to end violence, but his government has recently put an end to an economy where inflation has soared to the highest levels seen in decades and prices are rising. He has been criticized for failing to do so while governing. Living expenses.
But the leader recently declared that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, had “won the war” against the violence that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
According to Open Doors International, more than 82 percent of Christians killed around the world for their faith were in Nigeria.
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The campaign says more than 1,200 people have been kidnapped so far in 2024, and nearly 20,000 people died between 2020 and 2023. (AFP via Getty Images)
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Femi Oluwole said: “The British public is tired of constant debate over what to do with refugees fleeing countries where British foreign policy does not prioritize human rights.” (Femi Oluwole)
President Tinubu said this in his speech on Tuesday. “We are deeply aware of the challenges many of you are facing during these difficult times.
“There is a silver lining to the reforms we are implementing and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel, so please be patient.”
In an interview with The Independent, Femi Oluwole, who is also supporting the campaign, criticized the Nigerian government’s “lack of political will to end this crisis”, even though Nigeria is independent from Britain. Nevertheless, he maintained that it was clear.
“Nigeria’s independence from British rule was a necessary step, but it was insufficient,” he said.
“Britain has had its own government for much longer than 1964, but we still have corruption scandals every other week.
“We need better legal safeguards to ensure the Nigerian government prioritizes the security and prosperity of its people.”
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Nigeria’s president said this week that “we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel” (AFP via Getty Images)
The UK Government recently renewed the UK-Nigeria Security and Defense Partnership (SDP), described as a “pillar of our strategic partnership with Nigeria” during the launch of the UK Government’s Integrated Security Fund.
Campaign groups claim the plan will allocate taxpayer funds to security programs in Africa and emphasize greater accountability for the Nigerian government.
Although the SDP covers areas such as “countering terrorism and violent extremism” and “police and civil-military cooperation,” this does not appear to have reduced violence in Nigeria.
Asked why British people should be concerned about the situation in Nigeria, Mr Oluwole said: “The British public is tired of constant debate about what to do with refugees fleeing countries that are not a priority for British foreign policy,” he said. human rights.
“We have seen it in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and most recently in Gaza. Nigeria has a chance to learn those lessons.”
Dr. Shola Moss Shogbamimu, a lead activist in the campaign, said: “The ongoing security crisis in Nigeria poses grave risks to regional and global security.The people of Africa’s most populous country Their lives, liberties, and livelihoods are visibly hemorrhaging, and the time to stop it is now.”
The UK government has been contacted for comment.
