Steinmeier’s visit to Nigeria

On the occasion of the planned visit of German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) would like to draw attention to the precarious situation of the civilian population in the country. “The people of Nigeria are not only living in fear of armed groups – but are also suffering from numerous human rights violations by the country’s security forces,” stated Laura Mahler, STP expert on Sub-Saharan Africa.

German Federal President Steinmeier should “advocate for the adequate protection of vulnerable populations and for strict adherence to international humanitarian law,” the STP wrote in a letter to the Federal President. “Most importantly, however, Germany’s economic interests must not be placed above the rights of the Nigerian civilians,” Mahler added. From December 10 to 14, Steinmeier will pay official visits to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of South Africa, and the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The people in the north of the country are being terrorized by armed groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province), which are responsible for murder, abductions, sexualized violence, and lootings. Armed conflicts between shepherds and farmers are causing ongoing problems, too. Further, the country’s security forces are often involved in human rights violations themselves – including excessive violence, extrajudicial killings, rape, torture, arbitrary arrests, and indiscriminate air strikes.

In the south-east of the country, it is especially the members of the pro-Biafra movement* who are becoming victims of human rights violations. The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been in prison for several years following a controversial trial. Among other things, he was accused of terrorism and high treason. Despite the fact that he was acquitted by the constitutional court, he has not yet been released, as the Nigerian government has appealed against the verdict,” Mahler said. “Participants of pro-Biafra memorial events and protests are regularly subjected to excessive violence by the police, military, and the country’s secret service,” the letter says.

“The authorities have repeatedly failed to hold those responsible accountable,” Mahler stated. German Federal President Steinmeier should therefore use the meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to advocate for the protection of the civilian population,” the STP expert added. Both in Nigeria and in the course of the President’s subsequent visits to the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho, the focus is on economic cooperation. “However, talks about the human rights situation in the respective countries must come first – before any further discussion about Germany’s economic interests,” Mahler demanded.

*On May 30, 1967, the region of Biafra in south-eastern Nigeria declared its independence. Nigeria responded with a devastating civil war and genocide which claimed around two million lives by 1970. The pro-Biafra movement is still demanding autonomy for the region.