The Protest
We have been following the #ENDSARS movement with varying emotions from hope, encouragement, anger, grief, shock, and despair.
Sometimes all at once.
When it was announced that there would be a curfew from 4pm on the 20th October (in Lagos, Nigeria) it was met with suspicion.
Anyone who has been to Lagos knows how bad the traffic is on a good day.
The Lekki Tollgate Massacre
When the Nigerian military turned up in the early evening of October 20th; (in the Alausa and Lekki areas of Lagos) they arrived to peaceful protestors who stayed past curfew singing their national anthem and waving the Nigerian flag.
The Nigerian military responded with bullets, killing twelve people according to Amnesty International.
In a more sinister twist of events, CCTV was removed and the electricity was cut off to hide the identities of the sanctioned shooters.
A Nigerian DJ – by the name of DJ Switch, broadcasted the massacre on Instagram live .
The frightening thing is if she hadn’t, it would have been easier for the government to deny everything.
The world was quicker to react than President Buhari. After finally addressing the nation on the 22nd October it was met with a lukewarm reception. He spoke of how buildings were destroyed and airport travel was disrupted due to the protests.
It feels as though he was more upset at the superficial things that can be replaced.
He then followed up with a presentation on the 23rd October titled PMB (President Muhammadu Buhari) at Work. It listed what the President plans to do in the future. A step by step guide on how to change and improve the Nigerian Police.
What was missing in both of these national addresses was what the Nigerian people wanted to hear… an acknowledgment of the shooting that occurred on the fateful night of the 20th October.
The Feminist Coalition
The Feminist Coalition have been an integral part of the #ENDSARS movement, and made an announcement that they are no longer taking donations of Bitcoin.
Bitcoin donations were collected as regulators blocked the Flutterwave bank account. The Feminist Coalition were accused of “illegal activity”.
The remaining money raised will now be given to pay for hospital bills, bail for wrongful arrest, legal fees and emergency housing.
They encouraged everyone to stay home and stay safe, following the President’s national address.
The Feminist Coalition are a heroic group who moved with integrity, raised awareness, helped others, and broke down what the money was being used for.
The OBA Palace
Following the national address, citizens raided the Oba’s Palace in Lagos – An Oba is the King or Chief of the area.
They discovered a warehouse of food palliatives meant for citizens following the national lockdown.
The governors of Nigeria released a statement saying that the food stored away in warehouses are in case of a second wave spread of Covid 19.
Even though the Nigerian protests have stopped in Nigeria, the protests within the diaspora continued around the globe:
- Toronto-Canada,
- Frankfurt-Germany,
- Berlin-Germany
- Athens-Greece,
- Lisbon – Portugal,
- London-UK
- Washington, DC – USA,
- Chicago-USA,
- New York-USA
This global pressure has prompted the Nigerian government to address the international news.
As of writing this article the Governor of Lagos State Jide Sanwo Olu has admitted that the Nigerian military hurt civilians.
We have to keep this pressure up, it forces the Nigerian government to admit its wrongdoing. If you would like to get involved, click here.
What’s happening in other African countries
The light on Africa highlighted what has been happening in some of the countries.
Since October, young women have taken to the streets in Windhoek,Namibia to protest against femicide (Gender based violence). Since writing this article the situation has not improved as of yet.
I have used Apple products without the knowledge that the minerals are powered by resources in the Congo.
It was so surreal seeing the hashtag #congoisbleeding simultaneously under the new advert for the iPhone 12.
Cameroon has been protesting since 2016 demanding an end to the Anglophone crisis.
The Crisis Group explains:
“The Anglophones of Cameroon, 20 percent of the population, feel marginalised.
Their frustrations surfaced dramatically at the end of 2016 when a series of sectoral grievances morphed into political demands, leading to strikes and riots.
The movement grew to the point where the government’s repressive approach was no longer sufficient to calm the situation, forcing it to negotiate with Anglophone trade unions and make some concessions.
Popular mobilisation is now weakening, but the majority of Anglophones are far from happy.
The Anglophone problem dates back to the independence period. A poorly conducted re-unification, based on centralisation and assimilation, has led the Anglophone minority to feel politically and economically marginalised, and that their cultural differences are ignored.”
It’s been thrust back into the global spotlight as six children were shot dead by gunmen in a school in Kumba. Women have been marching demanding justice and peace.
We want to continue spreading awareness and hope you also do the same.
#Adeptales #StayAdept #ENDSars #ENDSwat #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria #congoisbleeding #Namibiashutitalldown #cameroon #anglophonecrisis #DJSwitch #soadept
