The Prime Minister of the Biafran Republic in Exile and separatist leader Ogechukwu Nkere has declared that negotiations for Biafran resettlement are void without the BRGIE and US government mediation.
He disclosed this in a statement to Nigerians issued on Monday.
Nkere stated that BRGIE will not accept any ‘negotiations’ or ‘settlement’ on the Biafra agitation if the US government and BRGIE are not involved.
According to him, BRGIE is the only Biafran political entity with high-level relations with the US government.
He further noted while BRGIE advocates for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, he cannot negotiate for Biafra while in prison.
“The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) declares any Biafra settlement or negotiations null and void without BRGIE and US government mediation.
“The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), led by Prime Minister Ogechukwu Nkere, issues the following statement:
“BRGIE will not accept any ‘negotiations’ or ‘settlement’ on the Biafra issue if the US government and BRGIE are not involved.
“The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) is the only Biafran political entity with high-level relations with the US government. ” BRGIE has already openly offered the U.S. military bases in Biafra, as well as a variety of other items, which are being considered. “The Biafra independence movement is in a completely different stage, compared to when Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was illegally renditioned in 2021. “The Biafra matters have gone far beyond Biafra because of our international diplomacy.
“There is external interest, from the US as well as from certain unnamed third-party countries. Biafra is no longer simply an internal Nigerian matter but a matter of US national security and international interest. As such, given that the U.S. is “invested” in the Biafra matter in coordination with BRGIE, the U.S. must and will have decision-making on the future of Biafra and Nigeria. Any solution to the Biafra question, including our quest for independence, must involve US mediation and consultation. BRGIE will not speak directly with the government of Nigeria—there can only be communication through third parties, primarily the United States government.
“Furthermore, any attempt by the government of Nigeria to directly negotiate with other Biafran representatives without involving BRGIE and the US government will be blocked in a high-level and coordinated manner. BRGIE has assured the US government that it will protect US interests in Biafra.
“For example, should the Nigerian government attempt to ‘negotiate’ with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in prison on Biafran matters, we will automatically reject any agreement reached.
“Free Biafrans cannot take orders from someone in prison, especially when they are imprisoned. It poses grave security risks.
“We have advocated for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release to the US government. However, even once Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released, it will not be accepted by the parties involved if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu attempts to unilaterally ‘negotiate’ Biafra matters with the federal government of Nigeria. Rather, once released, BRGIE will invite Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the United States, and we will privately brief Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in person and arrange for him to be briefed by US officials as well, who will explain to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the realities of the situation and the role in which we envision for him.
“We advise Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and those who are a part of his team, about the importance and benefit of him working in concert with BRGIE. For example, some of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s advisers conspicuously ignore BRGIE on their Twitter and social media, even posting about completely random and marginal Igbo and Biafran initiatives yet ignoring BRGIE’s prominence in Washington, DC.
“This type of behavior should be corrected. BRGIE welcomes direct dialogue with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at any time to discuss the path forward,” he stated.
