These are the regions in African countries pushing for independence

godfred akoto

October 3, 2017 12:29 PM

The partitioning of Africa by colonial leaders and its attendant problems continue to haunt several independent African countries with several secessionist movements active.

Business Insider Sub Saharan Africa takes a look at these groups

Southern Cameroon

The independence of Cameroon has not brought unity between the Anglophone South and the Francophone majority of the country. Things have come to a head recently as the government has clashed with demonstrators operating under the Southern Cameroon Amazonia Governing Council,leading to the death of 17 people. The group wants to declare autonomy for the region which will be called Ambazonia.

Biafra Region

This conflict blew up into a full blown Nigerian civil war in the 1970’s and has continued to simmer between the people of the oil rich Niger Delta and the Federal government. The recent activities of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) movement under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to force through demands for a separate,independent Biafra has been met with resistance and its leader is currently missing.

Cabinda

The battle for the independence of Cabinda has been ongoing since 1963 but gained notoriety in 2010 when the Togolese national football team was attacked by members of the Frente Para a Libertacao Do Enclave de Cabinda(FLEC) during and African Cup of Nations tournament. The FLEC is an amalgamation of three groups which represent the kingdoms of N’goyo, Loango and Kakongo.

The Oromo people

Despite being one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa, the Oromo people also lay claim to being oppressed and have engaged in the promotion of self determination from the country of Ethiopia. This drive is led by the Oromo Liberation Front.

The Western Sahara

The Western Sahara region is legally considered a part of Morocco but the Polisario Front which leads the calls for independence from the North African power has won several political victories to make that dream a reality. It has an observer status within the African Union.

The Casamance

The Casamance is dominated by people of the Jola tribe in Senegal who have sought autonomy from Senegal since 1982. They formed the Movement for the Democratic Forces of Casamance and there have been several clashes with the Senegalese army till date.

godfred akoto