Wole Soyinka Speaks Out: Modern-Day Slavery Still Haunts Africa

Wole Soyinka: A Bold Condemnation of Modern-Day Slavery

Renowned Nobel Laureate and literary giant Wole Soyinka has raised his voice against the ongoing scourge of child abductions in Nigeria, likening these acts to modern-day slavery. In a powerful speech at a commemorative session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Soyinka underscored the grim reality that "slave markets are thriving across the African continent." This is not just a regional issue—it's a global crisis that demands immediate attention.

A Stark Reminder of the Chibok Abductions

During his address, Soyinka highlighted the harrowing 2014 abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State by the terrorist group Boko Haram. This tragedy shocked the world and ignited a global outcry. Although some of the girls were eventually rescued, many remain missing, their fates uncertain. Soyinka emphasized that this wasn't an isolated incident but rather part of a larger, systemic problem.

Speaking directly to UN officials, including President Philemon Yang and Secretary-General António Guterres, Soyinka painted a vivid picture of how these abductions unfold. "Today, the new slavers simply wait for you and me to send our children to school, especially boarding schools," he explained. "They swoop down, snatch them away, hide them deep in the forest, and then demand ransoms." It's a chilling reminder of how far we still have to go in the fight against modern slavery.

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Slavery in the 21st Century: A Growing Epidemic

Wole Soyinka didn't stop there. He went on to stress that kidnappings are alarmingly common in Nigeria and the broader West African region. "The name Chibok may be familiar to you, but you have no idea how many Chiboks there are, especially in the West African subregion," he warned. These incidents aren't anomalies—they're symptoms of a deeper, more pervasive issue. The abduction of children from schools has become a disturbingly regular occurrence, with devastating consequences for families and communities.

To drive his point home, Soyinka referenced the 2012 film 'Django Unchained,' using it as a metaphor for the enduring legacy of slavery. "Any human being owned by another is a slave, or enslaved," he declared. He then turned his focus to the plight of the abducted girls, saying, "We can only imagine the horrors the girls of Chibok and Dapchi have endured since being taken from their schools." Their stories are a testament to the enduring brutality of slavery in its modern form.

A Call for Global Accountability

Soyinka described these crimes as "a stain on the universal conscience" and urged the international community to take decisive action. Slavery, he argued, has persisted for over 500 years in various forms, always rooted in the same fundamental wrong: the dehumanization of others. "The essence of slavery is the theft of human beings, of entire races, communities, and nations of their right to self-determination," he explained. It's a violation of the most basic principles of human dignity.

While acknowledging the ongoing discussions about reparations for historical slavery, Soyinka questioned the feasibility of material compensation. "It's impossible to calculate the appropriate reparation for such a monumental global atrocity," he noted. Instead, he advocated for symbolic acts that reaffirm our commitment to justice and equality. These actions could serve as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the need to protect the vulnerable.

The UN's Role in Combating Slavery

The United Nations has long recognized the transatlantic slave trade as one of history's gravest human rights violations. In 2006, the General Assembly designated March 25 as the annual International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, with the first official commemoration taking place in 2008. Despite these efforts, Soyinka warned that without a united global stance against all forms of enslavement, the problem will persist indefinitely. "If we don't act now, slavery will continue to plague us for generations to come," he cautioned.

Wole Soyinka's words are a wake-up call, reminding us that the fight against slavery is far from over. It's a battle that requires courage, collaboration, and unwavering determination. As we move forward, let's heed his call and work together to create a world where every child can attend school without fear of abduction, and where human dignity is respected above all else.

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