January
1996
Guest
Editorial
Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Last Words
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In recognition of Shell’s continued silence over the death
of Nigerian environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa’s execution on
November 10, 1995 — along with eight other activists from the
Ogoni people — Satya is proud to be able to print his
Saro-Wiwa’s final statement before the military tribunal that
condemned him to death.
My lord,
We all stand before history. I am a man of peace, of ideas. Appalled
by the denigrating poverty of my people who live on a richly endowed
land, distressed by their political marginalization and economic strangulation,
angered by the devastation of their land, their ultimate heritage, anxious
to preserve their right to life and to a decent living, and determined
to usher to this country as a whole a fair and just democratic system
which protects everyone and every ethnic group and gives us all a valid
claim to human civilization, I have devoted my intellectual and material
resources, my very life, to a cause in which I have total belief and
from which I cannot be blackmailed or intimidated.
I have no doubt at all about the ultimate success of my cause, no matter
the trials and tribulations which I and those who believe with me may
encounter on our journey. Nor imprisonment nor death can stop our ultimate
victory.
I repeat that we all stand before history. I and my colleagues are not
the only ones on trial. Shell is here on trial and it is as well that
it is represented by counsel said to be holding a watching brief.
The Company has, indeed, ducked this particular trial, but its day will
surely come and the lessons learnt here may prove useful to it for there
is no doubt in my mind that the ecological war that the Company has
waged in the Delta will be called to question sooner than later and
the crimes of that war be duly punished. The crime of the Company’s
dirty wars against the Ogoni people will also be punished.
On trial also is the Nigerian nation, its present rulers and those who
assist them. Any nation which can do to the weak and disadvantaged what
the Nigerian nation has done to the Ogoni, loses a claim to independence
and to freedom from outside influence.
I am not one of those who shy away from protesting injustice and oppression,
arguing that they are expected in a military regime. The military do
not act alone. They are supported by a gaggle of politicians, lawyers,
academics and businessmen, all of them hiding under the claim that they
are only doing their duty, men and women too afraid to wash their pants
of urine. ...
As we subscribe to the sub-normal and accept double standards, as we
lie and cheat openly, as we protect injustice and oppression, we empty
our classrooms, denigrate our hospitals, fill our stomachs with hunger
and elect to make ourselves the slaves of those who ascribe to higher
standards, pursue the truth, and honor justice, freedom, and hard work.
I predict that the scene here will be played and replayed by generations
yet unborn. Some have already cast themselves in the role of villains,
some are tragic victims, some still have a chance to redeem themselves.
The choice is for each individual. I predict that the denouement of
the riddle of the Niger delta will soon come. The agenda is being set
at this trial. Whether the peaceful ways I have favored will prevail
depends on what the oppressor decides, what signals it sends out to
the waiting public.
In my innocence of the false charges I face here, in my utter conviction,
I call upon the Ogoni people, the peoples of the Niger delta, and the
oppressed ethnic minorities of Nigeria to stand up now and fight fearlessly
and peacefully for their rights.
History is on their side. God is on their side. For the Holy Quran says
in Sura 42, verse 41: "All those that fight when oppressed incur
no guilt, but Allah shall punish the oppressor." Come the day.
-— Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa.
Ken Saro-Wiwa was the President of Movement for the Survival of
Ogoni People (MOSOP). He was also executive producer of Basi and Company,
a popular West African TV series, and state commissioner for Rivers
State of Nigeria, Ministry of Works, Land, and Transport, and a lecturer
at the University of Lagos. This text is taken from Artistes for Democratic
Nigeria who can be reached by Telefax: 212-368-5924 or e-mailed at baba@igc.apc.org.
For activism surrounding the eighteen or so prisoners still at time
of writing on death row in Nigeria, contact Steve Kreztmann at Greenpeace:
202-319-2515.
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