Information on the Ogoni tribe and the organization Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP); on its treament by the government; and on whether there have been clashes with the Okrika tribe [NGA20645.E]

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) was reportedly founded by Ken Saro Wiwa, a prominent writer (News from Africa Watch June 1993, 21). This source states that the Ogoni are located in the oil-wealthy Delta state. The Ogoni have accused the government and multinational oil companies "of devastating their land and ruining their culture." The report further states the following:

Recently the government has responded with increasing harshness to the group and its leaders ... On April 30, 1993, at Biara, thirty miles southeast of Port Harcourt, soldiers who were bulldozing Ogoni's crops allegedly shot an Ogoni women in the chest. Other Ogonis were beaten up and detained (ibid.).

Ken Saro Wiwa has worn the Goldman Environment Prize for Africa award (American Political Network 24 Feb. 1995) and the Right to Livelihood Award, often called the alternative Nobel prize (Agence France Press (AFP) 7 Dec. 1994). However, Ken Saro-Wisa was not able to travel to Stockholm to accept his award as he is under house arrest allegedly for inciting youths to murder four Ogoni politicians. For additional information on this topic, please refer to the attached documents.

Reference


Agence France Press (AFP). 7 December 1994. "Alternative Nobel Recipients Tout Empowement." (NEXIS)

American Political Network. 24 February 1995. "Award: Nigerian facing death Penalty Gets HGoldman Prize." (NEXIS)

News from Africa Watch [New York]. June 1993. Vol 5. No. 9. "Nigeria: Threats to a New Democracy."

Attachments

Agence France Press (AFP). 21 May 1995. "Nigerian Doctors Call for Halt of Trial of Tribal Rights Leader." (NEXIS)

_____. 11 May 1995. "Detained Ogoni Rights Campaigner Calls Himself 'mortuary Candidate'." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 March 1994. "Nigerian Activists Denied Bail." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 December 1994. "Alternative Nobel Recipients Tout Empowement." (NEXIS)

_____. 17 November 1994. "Special Tribunal Formed to Try Detained Minority Rights Campaigners." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 March 1994. "First President of MOSOP Testifies Against Ken Saro-Wiwa." (NEXIS)

American Political Network. 24 February 1995. "Award: Nigerian facing death Penalty Gets Goldman Prize." (NEXIS)

Inter Press Service. 27 December 1994. Byline. Remi Oyo. "Nigeria-Human Rights: Ogoniland, Minority Rights and Murder." (NEXIS)

Manchester Guardian Weekly [London]. Byline. John Vidal. "Black Gold Claims A High Price." (NEXIS)

News from Africa Watch [New York]. June 1993. Vol 5. No. 9. "Nigeria: Threats to a New Democracy."

Reuters. 14 March 1994. "Nigerian Activists Denied Bail." (NEXIS)

_____. 13 January 1995. "Nigeria Rights Leaders Allowed to Challenge Trial." (NEXIS)

Sources Consulted

Afrique/Asie [Paris].

Africa Confidential [London]. Weekly.

Africa Events [London]. Monthly.

Africa News [Durham, NC]. Bi-monthly.

Africa Report [New York]. Bi-monthly.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political Series [London]. Monthly.

Human Rights in Africa. 1990. Washington: Brookings Institute.

Jeune Afrique [Paris]. Weekly.

New African [London]. Monthly.

News from Africa Watch [New York]. Monthly.

West Africa [London]. Weekly.

Computer on-line search.

Oral sources.