A lega(l)cy unfulfilled: Reflections of the Wiwa-led MOSOP and the localisation of human rights

Ken Saro-Wiwa led the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), an ethnic-based organisation formed primarily to advance the interests of the Ogoni people, especially vis-à-vis Nigeria’s oil-industry. Ken’s leadership of MOSOP resonated globally for the peaceful approach to claims by the group and the ‘localisation’ of international human rights. Following (and as a consequence of) his death by hanging in November 1995, the region plunged into violence. Responding to the upsurge in the resultant militancy that caused massive decline in oil exploration and production activities and revenues, the Federal Government initiated the amnesty programme. Although peace has largely returned to the oil-communities, the amnesty has a clear winner (militants) with the general population not reaping any palpable benefits. The paper highlights how the Wiwa-led MOSOP adopted and utilized the ‘localisation’ strategy for the benefit of the populace. It also discusses three important post-November 1995 occurrences relevant to the oil-industry that a rights-based approach would have seized as opportunities to resolve impending disputes in the region for the benefit of the general population.