Simon Ekpa, leader of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, has written to Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, urging support for an impending Biafra declaration.
Ekpa shared the news via X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, November 6, revealing that a letter detailing the declaration was presented to President Stubb on Monday.
Ekpa emphasised the significance of this move, positioning the declaration as essential for regional stability.
“The letter of intent informed the Finland President to support the Biafra Independence Declaration because it is a recipe for peace in the Sahel Region,” he wrote.
The letter explained the Biafra Government-in-Exile’s objectives and international legal framework, seeking Finland’s endorsement of a referendum to establish the “United States of Biafra.”
Scheduled for the last week of November 2024, the referendum would, according to Ekpa, confirm Biafra’s autonomy under international recognition.
Ekpa further underscored Biafra’s historical legitimacy, stating, “Unlike other secessionist governments in Africa, Biafra was recognised by five United Nations member states.”
This mention of past recognition reinforces Ekpa’s assertion of Biafra’s long-standing independence aspirations.
Ekpa has planned a formal declaration convention in Finland from November 29 to December 3, 2024, to solidify international support.
His efforts continue amidst ongoing calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been detained since 2021 on charges related to his role in Biafra’s independence movement.