US Presidential candidate Joe Biden has issued a statement on Wednesday, condemning the brutal crackdown on protesters in Nigeria. The controversial SARS unit – which has been deployed to enforce strict compliance amongst the public – was caught violently assaulting peaceful demonstrators, with several victims confirmed dead. The #EndSARS movement has been dominating global trends this week.
It now seems that the pleas for help have reached the very top. Joe Biden will learn in two weeks if he’s done enough to dislodge Donald Trump as president at the 2020 US Elections. His words matter more than ever at this point, and his offer of solidarity towards the Nigerian people have been welcomed by those on the continent.
While chaotic scenes have been playing out in Nigeria for the last two weeks, it escalated in a big way in the city of Lekki on Wednesday 21 October 2020 when Nigerian forces allegedly opened fire on protesters who were voicing their dissatisfaction about the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Biden’s measured statement, which calls for Americans to stand with the protesters and get all parties around a table for constructive discussion, also extends heartfelt condolences to families and friends who’ve lost loved ones in the clashes:
“I urge President Buhari and the Nigerian military to cease the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria, which has already resulted in several deaths. My heart goes out to those who lost a loved one in the violence. The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seek an end to corruption in their democracy.”
“I encourage the government to engage in a good-faith dialogue with civil society to address these long-standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive state of Nigeria.
In other news – Nomzamo Mbatha’s outfit at the #MissSA2020
There is jubilation at Vhangani Village, outside Vuwani in Limpopo, where Miss South Africa 2020 Shudufhadzo Musida was born and bred. The 24-year-old Musida was crowned Miss South Africa 2020 in Cape Town last night. Learn more
Source: IOL
