A time for soul searching,before we start pointing fingers at the Army. How many Nigerians have intervened to stop a lynching? Adotei Akwei writing in Amnesty:
March 28, 2015 was a huge turning point for Nigeria. For the first time in the country’s history, the incumbent did not win the presidential election. General Muhammadu Buhari, the man who defeated President Goodluck Jonathan, was sworn in on May 29.
The largely peaceful political transition set an important benchmark for the rest of the continent’s democratic aspirations and of course it has also triggered hopes in Nigeria that the country is embarking on a new chapter and a political, economic and diplomatic renaissance.
The hoped-for renaissance could not come sooner. As reinforced by the absolutely shocking Amnesty International report released today, which alleges the Nigerian government bears responsibility for the deaths of more than 8,000 people since 2011, the human rights challenges confronting the new Nigerian government are urgent, serious and many.
It will take more than hope for the incoming Buhari administration to face down these challenges. It will require political will from Nigeria’s leadership as well as strategic support from the international community...[continue reading]
