(credit: au.int /  Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahama

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The African Union Commission strongly condemns the  ongoing violence in Nigeria during protests in Lagos, Nigeria that has resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.  Moussa Faki Mahama, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission,  in a statement Wednesday, also offered his  “sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured”.  Violence has escalated sharply this week after after unrest in west African nation Nigeria, with witnesses accusing soldiers of shooting and killing several demonstrators.  Protesters are calling for the disbanding of the  Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS) a Nigerian security force formed in 1992 with the intent of focusing on crimes related to robbery and firearms. Many have accused the police squad of unlawful killings, brutality over the years.  Amnesty International has reported cases of  extrajudicial killings, torture and other illegal activities.

“The Chairperson appeals to all political and social actors to reject the use of violence and respect human rights and the rule of law. He further urges all parties to privilege dialogue in order to de-escalate the situation and find concrete and durable reforms. In this regard, the Chairperson welcomes the decision by the federal government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as an important step in this direction.”

-Moussa Faki Mahama, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission

The Chairperson also reiterated AU’s  “commitment to continue to accompany the government and people of Nigeria in support of a peaceful solution”,  and encouraged the Nigerian authorities to conduct an investigation to ensure the perpetrators of acts of violence are held to account.

Nigeria  is Africa’s most populous country and biggest oil producer

“Nigerians are outraged by the impunity with which SARS perpetrates horrific human rights violations”

-Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

“The Nigerian authorities have failed to prosecute a single officer from the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), despite anti-torture legislation passed in 2017 and evidence that its members continue to use torture and other ill-treatment to execute, punish and extract information from suspects”.  – Amnesty International