Intertwined Fate: Biafra-Catalonia Alliance Is Ironclad

 Intertwined Fate: Biafra-Catalonia Alliance Is Ironclad  On the 11th of September 2024, as has obtained every year before, same day,  the C...

 Intertwined Fate: Biafra-Catalonia Alliance Is Ironclad 

On the 11th of September 2024, as has obtained every year before, same day,  the Catalonia city of Barcelona was electrifying and bobbling as catalans commemorated the day to mark the loss of their nation's sovereignty to a combined forces of Spanish and French troops in 1714. The catalans since then have been political subjects to the ultimate spanish authority till date. Although, they still enjoy a proportional degree of economic autonomy in a reformed modern Spain. 

Be that as it may, even though this day at a pace is supposed to be a day to commemorate loss, thus expectedly ought to erode a sadistic or grieving atmosphere. The catalans has refused to allow their 400 years long loss to affect the prospect of their presence vis-a-vis their future. They have turned a rather sad day, to a jovial national day of celebration where guests of like minds and fate are invited to partake in its commemoration. 

It is no doubt that this day also hosts the most loudest call for Catalonia independence from Spain and the restoration of its national political sovereignty and destiny. Recall that an attempt was made in this regard in 2017 when the Catalonia regional government, after conscious adamance of the Spanish authority to reach a consensus over a referendum, went on to unanimously conduct it and then moved to declare independence from Spain. Although, this was preempted by the Spanish authority who ousted the separatist leaders, imposed a direct rule and later called for regional elections. 

Nevertheless, the flame of independence for the Republic of Catalonia continues to burn undeterred. Rallies are held, peaceful protests and procession as well as political and diplomatic pressure continues to mount. 

Just as Sept 11th - which coincidentally is also memorial day in the United States in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks by Islamic fundamentalists led by Osama bin laden in 2001 on US soil  - is a memorial day for catalans, so is every 30th May a national day of commemoration for the people of/in present-day Eastern Nigeria to remember the declaration of the republic and independence of Biafra from Nigeria in 1967 after the serial pogroms against the Biafrans in 1966 and the collapse talks and failure of the international community to rein on the crisis as well as the dispelling of the Aburi Accord or agreement between the both parties.

Biafrans have dedicated 30th May to the fallen heroes and heroines of the Biafra genocide. Initially, the event of this day was mostly and serenely done outdoors. Peaceful processions, seminars and lectures were conducted across Biafraland. But, then the Nigerian government, security forces conducted serial crackdown, arrests and extrajudicially killings against unarmed civilians observing the day's events. This compelled Biafrans to improvise and commence the observation through staying indoors on this day in honor of the fallen. 

Suffice to say, that the Catalonians remained one the few nations or better still, peoples who stood in solidarity with the struggling Biafrans, supported them financially, morally and otherwise for the entire 30 months of air-land-sea blockade imposed by the federal military government of Nigeria at the behest of the United Kingdom etc. And even after the defeat of Biafra in 1970, the Catalonians documented the war historical events, archived them. In anticipation for the future generations of Biafrans to be informed as to the injustice their forebears were made to undergo. Something the perpetrators invested heavily to suppress even till this day.

Fortunately, as fate may have it. The resilient Catalonians has found love with the contemporary Biafrans pursuing the self-determination relay race which their fathers sadly failed to accomplish. The Indigenous People Of Biafra[IPOB]movement has always for years been represented at the annual commemoration of the Catalonia's national day.  This year the IPOB movement and family worldwide was represented by the IPOB European representative Mazi Austin Agbanyim amongst other members of the IPOB delegation. The Biafra Flag flew and stood side by side with its Catalonia counterpart. Biafra cultural display also registered its presence in the event. 

The importance of the Biafra-Catalonia alliance cannot be overemphasized. The self-determination quest of both parties compliments each other in various symbolic spectrum. A free Catalonia has a coordinated important role to play with Biafra struggle for popularity with Europe. And also the Biafra nation upon restoration is and will remain the first off African brotherly natural ally to a free Catalonia nation within Europe. The significance and merits of this are analytically unambiguous to say the least. 

Hence, the fate of Catalonia and Biafra are linked as both nation struggles to attain their political as well as economic sufficiency and efficiency to the fullest. And it is a good thing that the IPOB Leadership is leaving no stone unturned in making sure that not only are new relationships amongst nations and countries round the world is being cultivated in favor of the Biafra struggle, but also older ones are being cemented and strengthened for success to be achieved. May Biafrans and Catalonians will remain brothers in arm for a very long period of time.

Family Writers Press International