Black Looks

After intensive pressure from members of the National Assembly, the media, trade unions, political activists and the Nigerian people, President Yar’Adua has agreed to hand over the Presidency to his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan.

I think Fela would have loved this – the beginnings of “people power” in Nigeria – here Seun talks about his father and Fela on Broadway…..

Nigeria soldiers shooting defenseless civilians Jos, Plateau State one year ago. Viewer Discretion is Advised – Sahara Reporters.

By late tomorrow dozens of Nigerian asylum seekers will be deported from the UK

Why do people flee Nigeria?

In its 2009 World Report, Human Rights Watch maintained that Nigerian state security forces “continued to commit extrajudicial killings, torture, and extortion. Intercommunal and political violence, often fomented by powerful politicians, claimed hundreds of lives.” But while state and ‘inter-communal’ violence in Nigeria are well documented, what is less known, or less talked about, is the role of multinational oil and arms companies in maintaining this violence.

Between June and December last year 76 bodies were left at the morgue in Enugu by the Nigerian Police but some estimates are double that. Some of the men are listed as “armed robbers”, “suspected armed robber” or “unknown thief”. The police commander claimed they dont excecute people “we are in a democracy now” – it’s a wonder he did not choke over his words.

In August 2007 Damien Ugwu then of the Nigerian Civil Liberties spoke about the “endemic police torture in the Nigerian justice system”. CLO estimated that five people a day are being extra-judicially killed by the police with young unemployed men being the most vulnerable. He went on to say that torture chambers exist in most Nigerian police stations and torture is routinely carried out. From the reports above it seems police executions are not only on the increase but take place in full glare of the public. In June last year soldiers of the JTF were caught on camera executing two militants in the Niger Delta – two of hundreds if not more over the years. No single soldier or member of the police force has been held accountable for these and thousands of other murders and rapes – again even when caught on camera as in Choba in November 1999.

I’m writing this post in response to number of articles on the prevalence of homophobia in Africa and to try and give some perspective and historical context.     In the last six months we have seen the expression of homophobia with the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill; the arrest of gay Malawian couple, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, for getting married;  most recently the appointment of homophobic journalist,  Jon Qwelane as South Africa’s ambassador to Uganda.   All of these are well documented so I’m not going to go into detail.   What I think is important, particularly with regards to the Ugandan Bill and the homophobic campaign that preceded it, is that it has been successfully internationalised by LGBTI activists on the continent, many who have put their lives at risk in letting us know what is happening.  [For the best in depth and regularly updated commentary and analysis on Uganda, see Gay Ugandan].  The international response has been impressive,  though as this report shows not wholly reliable. Religious leaders, government ministers, international human rights organisations and bloggers condemning the Bill.  The disgust around the Bill, has to some extent forced Ugandan President Museveni to retract the worst aspects of the Bill – the death penalty.  However I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw a piece of paper and the pressure to drop the Bill completely will need to be maintained.   Fro example the  “million person Anti-Gay march” is  still planning to go ahead in Kampala next month.

Uganda’s National Pastors Task Force Against Homosexuality*, chaired by Ssempa has resolved to support the Bill with amendments that include reduction of the sentence from death penalty to 20 years for aggravated homosexuality and the inclusion of a provision of “counseling and rehabilitation  [by the church] to persons experiencing homosexual temptations.”

Ssempa maintains that homosexuality is illegal, breaks the laws of God and that it breaks the laws of nature which stipulate that a male goes with a female. According to him it is a Taboo for same-sex people to be in relationship and he basis his assertion on African culture, tradition and Religion.

The Ugandan Bill has also exposed the working relationship between some Christian fundamentalist churches in the US, in particular the organisation known as “The Family,” and religious leaders in Uganda.   The ideology behind the  “The Family” appears to be about power and influence as well as religion – and the poor will not be the ones to  inherit the earth if they have anything to do with it.

The case of the gay Malawian couple  gives us an idea of what will happen if the  Ugandan Bill is passed only it would be worse, much worse.  They have been denied bail and if found guilty could  face up to 14 years in prison.    On Friday I spoke with Cameroonian LGBTI activit, Joel Gana of “African Men for Sexual Health & Rights,  who along with Victor Mukasa of SMUG and  IGLHRC are in Malawi to give personal and strategic support to Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza.   In addition there are a number of other human rights defenders who have been arrested or whom are wanted by the police.

Although there is no doubt a long struggle ahead for the couple we were both reminded of the case of the Cameroonian nine who were arrested on 21st May 2005 on charges of sodomy.  After a 12 month campaign by human rights defenders / LGBTI activists across the continent the men were released and acquitted without charge.  The case of the Cameroon nine went along way to solidify the movement as Joel pointed out.

The case in the Cameroon helped solidify the movement and this could happen here.  The movement is not out but it could do the same.  Because you know the organisation in Cameroon came out of that movement to fight for the rights and thats how the “Alternative Cameroon” was founded and why they are so strong now.

There have been other victories over the past five years.   The two Nigerian Bills – the Same Sex Marriage Bill and the The Same Gender Prohibition Bill have both been shelved despite the backing of both bills by religious leaders such as the Nigerian Anglican Primate, Bishop Peter Akinola.   This is not to say they will not rise again especially if the Ugandan Bill gets passed but preventing both of them from being passed was a victory for Nigerian and international human rights activists.    In December 2008, after three and half years, Ugandan activist, Victor Mukasa won his case against the Ugandan attorney general

From the momentum created by the Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Court Case, the numbers of people involved in advocating for the protection of the basic human rights of LGBTI people have continued to grow in Uganda. Although the 30-day “Let Us Live In Peace” Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Media Campaign led by Sexual Minorities Uganda in August and September 2007 was met with great controversy and hostility, greater awareness and understanding of the need for protection of the basic human rights of kuchus was built among large segments of the general population in Uganda. Publicity around one of the key aspects of the case, inhuman treatment and discrimination based on gender identity, has helped to foster openness and courage in many transgender individuals in Uganda.

In September 2009, Eudy Simelane finally received a measure of justice after her murderer and rapist was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.   However, two other men involved in the crime were acquitted on the basis they were there but did nothing,  a judicial position which campaigners will be working towards changing.  The campaign around Eudy’s trial was not an easy one and was fought with very little resources despite the international media interest in the crime and trial.

It’s a relief for everyone – family and friends of Eudy to have finally received justice. The campaign around Eudy’s case has been central to raising awarness of hate crimes against lesbians in South Africa and for that we must acknowledge the work of The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project and it’s director, Phumi Mtetwa who worked tirelessly to make sure the case was given the highest possible profile. Recognition must also go to all the friends and supporters who attended the court hearings despite the lack of funds to transport and accommodate them during the endless postponements and delays.

Most recently in Decemeber last year,  the Rwandan government changed it’s mind on the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill with the Minister for Justice following pressure from African and International LGBT organisations declaring.

“The government I serve and speak for on certain issues cannot and will not in any way criminalize homosexuality; sexual orientation is a private matter and each individual has his or her own orientation – - this is not a State matter at all,” said Karugarama.

The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill remains in place.  it will set a dangerous precedent across the continent if it gets passed on any level let alone with the death penalty.   It could influence and encourage those behind the Nigerian Bill as well as the governments in Gambia, Senegal, Malawi, Kenya and Zambia which have all taken a draconian stance towards same sex relationships in their countries.   What I wanted to do in this post, was to also return  to and  emphasise some of the victories African LGBT activists have achieved over the years – sometimes on their own with very little resources, sometimes with the help of international human rights organisations.
Links:

Boycott the 2010 World Cup

Open Letter to President Zuma

Statement by Equality Project

Statement on Gender & Sexuality – South Africa

I have been on a semi hiatus over the past few weeks which is one of the reasons I haven’t commented on the Nigerian “knicker bomber” Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.  The actions of Farouk have dramatic and serious implications for Nigerians in particular and Africans in general traveling to the US.   A number of  Nigerian bloggers have  written thoughtful posts on Farouk Abdulmutallab’s attempt to blow up a plane. Here are three I think are worth reading.

Chippla’s Weblog provides a factual account focusing on Umar Farouk himself, his background – rich and privileged and the personal consequences of his action – life imprisonment. Given his background Chippla wonders why he did what he did and concludes that we should be mindful that terrorist could be anywhere – in our families, work colleagues, friends and so on.

The botched attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 235 has everything to do with a radical Islamic ideology promulgated by extremist groups like al-Qaeda. This is the point that must be emphasized. al-Qaeda’s ideologies could find sympathizers in your family, your neighborhood or your workplace. It is not ethnic, region or class specific. Though largely concentrated in the Middle East, it is becoming global.

Anengiyefa of Things I feel Strongly About comments on the unfair treatment of Nigerians following the failed bomb attempt. He begins by declaring his pride in being a Nigerian, whilst at the same time recognising the lack of development and poor quality of life for the majority of the country’s 150 million people.   Read more…

Spoke: Some were bold, some italic, some plain old blank!
Audrey Brown, Onyekachi Wambu, Bryan Pearson, Chika Unigwe, Funmi Iyanda, Bola Olabisi, Lawrence Mbugwa, Yvonne Ike, Nasir El Rufai, Segun Aganga, Remi Adeseun, Nuhu Ribadu

I am discovering in my old age, albeit reluctantly [not the age, the revelation] that I DO have some “British” traits one of which is an aversion to too much rah rah and a tendency to celebrate the understated. So it was with some reservation that I attended the TEDx event last Saturday. I figured there wasn’t much else to do on a dank grey wet Saturday in London. At least it would be warm and I was meeting a couple of friends, so I was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming of hosts Ike Inya and Chikwe Ihekweazu and the general vibe which wasn’t too rah rah. In fact it was a genteel balance between British understated and Nigerian over stated.

We were quickly informed that speakers had flown in from various parts of Africa, Europe and the US all on their own expense so thank you so much but me I am thinking of my 25 very expensive pounds sterling and though I am hopeful, it will take more than that to impress.

Audrey Brown from SA and the BBC spoke about the civilising process and the omissions of Euro history which were “false in the particular” and how we need to seek the truth. Some of the names [truths] hidden from history are Josephine Baker who didn’t just prance about in banana skins for Parisian masses but worked as a nurse during WWII and participated in the US civil rights movement. According to this report she even sang the US anthem in Nigeria during WW2!

Next up was Onyekachi Wambu with whom I have some old connections through family and friends from back in the day when kids were in nappies and London had the best “Naija” parties – from the Elephant to Hampstead to Eton Sq – yes we mixed with all sorts in those days! Now we and the kids are all grown up, heavier, and stay home on Saturday night. Onyekachi recalled Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God and the villagers choice in choosing the weakest to lead the clan. The question of sovereignty came up with Kenya as an example but it could be any country on the continent. How sovereign are we if we cannot solve our own national and continental conflicts? A bit depressing to be reminded that we – citizens – cannot trust our leaders but oh so true!. The next speaker I was not impressed.

Byran Pearson spent his time name dropping and ultimately informing us that at one point he had the whole collection of Fela’s master tapes in his possession. Sigh – Enough said!.

Chika Unigwe spoke about the research for her book ["On Black Sister Street"] amongst the sexworkers on the streets many of whom were from Nigeria and from the Benin area. Why are there so many young women from the Benin area working as sex workers in Italy and Spain? I did not know there is a slave market in Belgium where women were paraded naked and auctioned off as sex slaves.

This is besides the politics of passports. On the one had there is the problematics of Nigerians getting a visa for South Africa. On the other there is you as a Black woman with a red passport being singled out for extensive scrutiny at the borders of Euroland. Then there is trying to negotiate your daily life whilst living in a “foreign language”. We are reminded that it is language which grounds us and forms our identity.

Funmi Iyanda was a breath of fresh air as she introduced us to the “shit” in your face. We need to be careful how we interpret the lives of the “other”. In this case those living on the waters of Makoko who are not what we imagine. Funmi is famous for hosting New Dawn chat show on Nigerian TV. She has a new show “Talk with Funmi” where she travels round the country meeting and speaking with ordinary Nigerians. It will also be shown online. Sounds like a great show and I look forward to watching it.

Bola Olabisi: There are three zones of life – comfort zone, stretch zone and panic zone. I am permanently in the latter so I know it well. It’s not exactly rocket science to know that to be an innovator one needs to move from comfort to stretch. Check out the banana flavoured pap.

We do have our heroes – Nasir El Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu were both compelling and for them alone i was happy to attend this event. El Rufai delivered with wit as he painted a corrupt Nigeria well beyond the pale. Ribadu spoke about his dedication, attempts on his life, birbery [someone presented him with $15 million in cash] and life in exile which clearly brought him much sadness.

Was it worth it? Yes particularly the chance to listen to Iyanda, El Rufai and Ribadu. However it could have been more representative of the whole continent and the speakers more varied with less emphasis on the economic – a couple from the technology world and the creative arts would have made a difference. Still congratulations to the two organisers, Chikwe and Ike.

Today is the start of a landmark court brought by four farmers from the Niger Delta against Shell Oil.

The Nigerian farmers and fishers, who lost their livelihoods after oil from leaking Shell pipelines streamed over their fields and fishing ponds, are claiming compensation from the Anglo-Dutch oil giant. They also want Shell to clean up the oil which remains in the land, so that they can return to farming and fishing.

The four victims of the leaks are from three Nigerian villages.

They have subpoenaed both Shell’s subsidiary in Nigeria and Shell’s Dutch headquarters. They allege that as the result of Shell’s negligence, agricultural lands have been devastated, drinking water polluted, fish ponds made unusable and the environment and health of local people harmed.

Continue reading the case here

Links: Shell Guilty

A meeting of civil society organisations, lawyers, media, academics in Port Harcourt to discuss the future of oil in the Niger Delta and it’s impact on climate change and sustainability have issued a strong militant statement to the Federal Government.  The meeting was chaired by Nnimmo Bassey, the Director of Environmental Rights Action who described the communiqué as

117 organisations signing on to the most militant statement of its sort
I’ve yet seen – formidable!

The communiqué is scathing in its criticism of the present government which rather than address the issues raised has in fact exacerbated them in so many ways culminating in the recent amnesty deal with militants. Rather than tackle the cause of the militancy and criminal activities such as the huge environmental damage and lack of development, the government simply made a financial deal with a group of militants in exchange for their silence. The cost of doing so could well have been put towards building health centers, schools and other infrastructure for the communities and begin to erode the reasons behind the militancy in the first place.

Never before have so many people and organisations come together as one to condemn the Nigerian government’s actions from the continued deferral and failure to end gas flaring; failure to insist and regulate the oil industry according to international standards; contributing and being part of the land grab by oil companies and the promotion of agri-imperialism; fueling the corruption in the region which has itself contributed to the violence and the policy of militarisation and abuse instead of development and support.

The Communiqué also criticised the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill [PIB]. The PIB is one of the most contentious and repressive pieces of legislation as it affects the people of the Niger Delta. In a recent interview, constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itsewaju Sagay pointed out some of the flaws of the PIB….

It is one of the most insensitive documents I have ever seen.
It’s a document that is created with the intention of exploiting the oil and gas of the Niger Delta, whilst not recognising the existence of the people of the Niger Delta. There is nothing about royalty for the host communities; there is nothing about increasing derivation from 25 to 50 per cent, which was what we negotiated before our independence, which you will find in the 1960, and 1963 Constitutions. There is nothing about increasing our rights in derivation throughout the continental shelf, as was the case against the two constitutions, what it slated clearly, that a coastal state is deemed to be the owner of its continental shelf. All that has been taken away. There is nothing that recognises the rights of the communities and states to be involved as stakeholders in the running of the Petroleum Industry contrary to what is provided for in the solid minerals Act, which of course mainly applies to the north.

Although the communiqué does refer to the impact of militarisation and environmental damage on the lives of women I feel the conference members missed an opportunity to spell out the specific abuses particularly those committed by Nigerian security forces.

The strongest demands were around the immediate ending of gas flaring and the proposed exploitation of bitumen and the stopping of new oil blocs. The full comminque can be read here.

Links: Shell Guilty

The Critical Now
Remember Ken Saro Wiwa

After finishing Allah is Not Obliged just over a week ago I have now ordered and intend to read everything by Ahmadou Kourouma.  Maybe this is an over reaction to an incredible reading experience which includes Brian Chikwava’s Harare North [still writing the review on this] – we will see.   Since then I have started two other books  one by a Nigerian author and the other a Ugandan.  I am reluctant to name them because they were just OK enough for me to get through the first 20 pages or so before withdrawing. I may return later but for the moment the books are closed.

Whilst it is exciting  that so many new Nigerian writers are publishing there is the danger of being disappointed by the lack of creativity in style and language as well as story line.   So not everyone can produce a Graceland, Famished Road or Half of a Yellow Sun (including the authors themselves – Ben Okri for example has never come close to Famished Road) and I admit  there is always a market for easy to read uncomplicated writing.  For me though after reading excellence in all its forms I cannot return to mediocrity and would rather not read at all.    Putting it in music terms – after hearing Seun Kuti would you ever bother to listen to Femi again?   I do not write book reviews.   I am a literature optimist so will always try but if I don’t enjoy a book please do not expect me to bother writing about it – the world is littered with half read books.

Two new novels from Kenya and Nigeria which might just hit the mark.

“Nairobi Heat” by Mukoma Wa Ngugi is a crime thriller set in the US and Kenya that “questions race, identity and class” hmmmm. Nairobi Heat  is published by Penguin Books.

And from Nigeria, ”Egg-Larva-Pupa-Woman” by Ogo Ogbata is set in colonial and post-independent Nigeria and addresses both the personal and the political – issues such as identity, race gender violence and corruption.   I have been asked by the author to offer one copy to readers of this blog.  So if anyone is interested please email me - sokari at blacklooks dot org with book offer in the subject.  Egg-Larva-Pupa-Woman is published by Priceless Books.  Listen to an interview with the author on YouTube.

Kayode Ogundamisi posted this note on Facebook commenting on the Lagos State Government’s “Rambo” raid on private nightclubs. The club dancers were dehumanised and photographed in the nude by security forces with the photos being sent to the press. Kayode’s comment speaks to the whole issue of hypocrisy, citizens rights and policing morality which alongside religious intolerance is so widespread in Nigeria. The post is reproduced below with Kayode’s permission. For those on Facebook you can read the post and the comments here.

Early in the year the Lagos state environmental task force, carried out what it described as a “carefully planned and very well executed raid” on private clubs that were said to be “carrying out immoral acts” such as girls performing “nude dancing”. It is the responsibility of any government to make sure that clubs and entertainment centres operate within the confines of the law and a responsible government will also keep an eye on such clubs to make sure they do not engage the services of the underage, minors or ladies who are forced to perform without their consent.

However the recent invasion of clubs by the Lagos government officials in a Rambo style manner is very unbecoming of a state whose governor is arguably one of the best performing public official Nigeria as ever witnessed in recent times. The way they subjected those young Nigerian women, to series of humiliation, by photographing them openly and making such available to the press almost naked is a violation of the rights of the citizens. If the officials involved in the raid must display the “captives” can’t they give them the choice of having their clothes on?

There is need for the government to check the excesses of the Lagos State Environmental task force, that agency is more or less now behaving like a “moral soldier” meant to dictate to private citizens, on what move they should view, which club they must visit, what colour they must paint houses and what manner of apparels ladies must wear.

The raid before last week’s by the very same official did not produce any conviction except the sensation it got in the media. Sadly, the media worldwide seem to enjoy the public humiliation of the female body type, it is apparent those found to be “poll dancing” where men the photographs would not have been of public interest, thus we must stop the obscene chauvinistic tendency that is taking root in our society.
Read more…

The 8th edition of the Bamako Encounters – African Photography Biennial is a month long celebration of African photography. This year, inspired by the theme “Borders”, 10 Nigerians made the journey from Lagos to Bamako by road in a Volkswagen mini bus driving through 6 West African countries: Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Burkina Fasso and Mali.

Via Osize @Twitter

The most essential aspect of the project is not the final destination, but the journey; therefore the participating photographers will produce works in form of photography and video while on the go which will be exhibited during the main events of the Festival in Bamako.

It was also fantastic to see my friend Zanele Muholi win the Casa Africa Prize – the only female to win one of the eight prizes of the festival.

Also check out Lucy Azubuike and George Osodi – has an exhibition coming up in Lagos at the end of this month [Nigeria] and Creative Arts for full list of artists