Underreported Struggles: Movements the World Forgot

The Resistance Hub

In today’s relentless news cycle, many of the world’s longest-running independence and human rights struggles remain buried beneath flashier headlines. These underreported movements—spanning continents, cultures, and centuries—are driven by communities demanding freedom, dignity, and recognition. Often marginalized by geopolitical interests or economic priorities, their stories go untold. This article shines a light on ten such movements, offering a concise look at their historical roots, current realities, and why their futures matter for global justice.

1. West Papua (Indonesia) – A Silenced Quest for Independence

Historical Background

West Papua, the western half of New Guinea, was a Dutch colony until the 1960s, when it was transferred to Indonesia through the UN-brokered New York Agreement. Indigenous Papuans were never given a free and fair vote on this transition. Since then, resistance to Indonesian rule—both armed and nonviolent—has persisted for over six decades. Estimates suggest that between 100,000 and 200,000 Papuans have been killed in military operations and political crackdowns, prompting some to call the situation a “slow-motion genocide.” The region has experienced severe human rights violations, large-scale land seizures, and demographic shifts due to state-sponsored migration, all of which threaten the cultural survival of the Papuan people.

Current Situation

West Papua remains one of the world’s most closed and censored conflict zones. Indonesia tightly restricts access for journalists, human rights observers, and UN officials, effectively muting international coverage. Peaceful protests are routinely met with force, and symbolic acts—like raising the Morning Star independence flag—can result in imprisonment. The conflict escalated further in 2023 when separatist fighters abducted a New Zealand pilot to highlight their cause. Military offensives have displaced more than 76,000 Indigenous Papuans, creating a humanitarian crisis that rarely reaches global news cycles.

Why It Matters

West Papua is rich in natural resources—gold, copper, timber—that fuel international markets and benefit multinational corporations. Yet the Papuan people see little of this wealth. This disconnect raises serious questions about global complicity in ongoing repression. The region’s struggle is not just about territorial independence; it’s a broader test of whether international human rights standards apply to Indigenous peoples facing state violence. As long as powerful governments prioritize diplomatic and economic ties with Jakarta, West Papua’s cries for justice will remain unanswered. Increased international awareness and pressure could open the door to dialogue, humanitarian access, and a long-overdue reckoning with a conflict the world has long chosen to ignore.

2. Western Sahara – Africa’s Last Colony in Limbo

Western Sahara, a disputed territory along Africa’s Atlantic coast, was a Spanish colony until 1975. Upon Spain’s withdrawal, Morocco annexed most of the region, triggering an armed conflict with the pro-independence Polisario Front, which declared the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Although Mauritania also claimed part of the territory, it withdrew in 1979. By the 1980s, Morocco had seized control of roughly 80% of Western Sahara, erecting a 2,700-kilometer sand wall to separate its territory from the Polisario-held east. A 1991 UN-brokered ceasefire promised a referendum on self-determination—a vote that Morocco has repeatedly delayed or blocked.

Current Situation

After decades of relative stalemate, tensions reignited in late 2020 when Moroccan forces entered a UN buffer zone to disperse Sahrawi protesters. Polisario responded by declaring the ceasefire void and resuming armed struggle. While direct combat remains low-intensity, the humanitarian toll continues. Over 173,000 Sahrawis remain in refugee camps in the Algerian desert, many born into exile and dependent on international aid. Meanwhile, Sahrawis in Moroccan-controlled areas face discrimination, surveillance, and repression when advocating for independence. Although Morocco proposes autonomy under its sovereignty, it has refused any vote that includes full independence as an option. The UN peace process has stalled, with repeated envoy appointments failing to restart negotiations.

Why It Matters

Often dubbed “Africa’s last colony,” Western Sahara remains on the UN’s list of non-self-governing territories. The international community’s failure to resolve the conflict calls into question its commitment to decolonization and the right to self-determination. The situation has also destabilized North African geopolitics: Algeria, which backs the Polisario, severed ties with Morocco in 2021, raising regional security concerns. The precedent is dangerous—if Morocco’s occupation is normalized, it could legitimize other territorial annexations worldwide. Finally, this is a human crisis. An entire generation of Sahrawis remains displaced, stateless, and voiceless. Ending their limbo requires not just aid—but action.

3. Balochistan (Pakistan)

Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest and most resource-rich province. The central government seized it in 1948 after British rule ended. Since then, ethnic Baloch nationalists have led several insurgencies, claiming the state denied them self-determination. Their main grievances include political exclusion, poor development, and exploitation of natural wealth—gas, coal, copper, and gold—without local gain. The military has answered each uprising with harsh crackdowns. The current insurgency, which began in the early 2000s, is the most violent and longest-running to date.

Current Situation

The conflict in Balochistan is marked by cycles of violence, enforced disappearances, and human rights abuses. Thousands of Baloch civilians, activists, and students have been abducted or “disappeared” by Pakistan’s security forces, often without trial or charges. Reports of extrajudicial killings and torture continue, fueling anger and deepening distrust. Armed Baloch groups regularly target Pakistani military installations and infrastructure. In recent years, they have also expanded attacks to Chinese projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), seeing them as exploitative ventures that further marginalize local communities. In response, Pakistan has intensified military operations in the province, labeling insurgents as terrorists while ignoring calls for dialogue.

Why It Matters

Balochistan’s strategic location and resource wealth place it at the crossroads of regional security, energy politics, and international development. Its coastline includes the deep-sea port of Gwadar, a cornerstone of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Yet local communities remain some of the poorest in Pakistan, raising questions about development without representation. The international community’s silence—particularly China’s backing of Islamabad’s policies—underscores how economic interests often overshadow human rights concerns. If left unaddressed, Balochistan’s unrest could escalate into a broader regional crisis, destabilize Pakistan’s internal balance, and further strain civil-military relations. At stake is not just autonomy, but the principle that development must be inclusive, just, and accountable.

4. Ambazonia (Southern Cameroons) – The Hidden Anglophone War

Southern Cameroons, today known by its supporters as Ambazonia, was formerly administered by Britain and joined the French-speaking Republic of Cameroon in 1961 under a UN-brokered federal arrangement. That federation was gradually dismantled by the central government, eroding the autonomy and cultural protections of the English-speaking minority. Decades of political marginalization, judicial bias, and economic neglect led to frustration and nonviolent protests. When Anglophone teachers and lawyers demonstrated in 2016 against the imposition of French in courts and schools, security forces responded with brutal crackdowns. By 2017, separatists had declared independence, plunging the region into open conflict.

Current Situation

What began as peaceful civil resistance has morphed into one of the world’s most underreported armed conflicts. Over 6,000 people have been killed since 2016. More than 600,000 civilians have been internally displaced, and at least 70,000 have fled to Nigeria. Government troops and Ambazonian militias alike have committed atrocities: military forces have burned villages and executed civilians, while separatists have kidnapped teachers, enforced school boycotts, and targeted perceived collaborators. Humanitarian access remains limited due to insecurity and state restrictions. Despite the severity of the violence, the crisis is barely mentioned on the international stage.

Why It Matters

The Ambazonian struggle highlights urgent questions about cultural rights, minority protection, and federalism in postcolonial Africa. Cameroon was once seen as a regional model of stability; this hidden war reveals the fragility beneath that image. The displacement of hundreds of thousands risks destabilizing neighboring Nigeria, and ungoverned spaces may become havens for transnational threats. The international community’s near-total silence has allowed both sides to escalate with impunity. Supporting a peaceful solution—through inclusive dialogue, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic pressure—could save lives and provide a roadmap for resolving similar linguistic and regional disputes globally.

5. Mapuche (Chile) – Indigenous Resistance in a Modern State

The Mapuche are Chile’s largest Indigenous group and among the few in the Americas who resisted colonial conquest for centuries. It wasn’t until the late 1800s—during Chile’s “Pacification of Araucanía” campaign—that the Mapuche were forcibly incorporated into the Chilean state. Much of their ancestral land was expropriated, their culture suppressed, and their legal rights ignored. Under the Pinochet dictatorship, communal lands were privatized and opened to timber and agribusiness corporations. While Mapuche communities have long sought autonomy, cultural recognition, and land restitution, the state has often responded with surveillance, repression, and criminalization.

Current Situation

In recent years, conflict has grown in southern Chile as Mapuche communities reclaim land through occupations and symbolic sabotage, like burning logging gear. The state has sent militarized police to the Araucanía region, using armored vehicles, raids, and old anti-terrorism laws from the dictatorship. Police often arrest Mapuche leaders and activists, while reports of excessive force and disappearances have deepened mistrust. Despite campaign promises, President Gabriel Boric’s government has made little progress on land return or real dialogue, and tensions remain high.

Why It Matters

The Mapuche conflict is not simply a local issue—it reflects global struggles over Indigenous rights, land sovereignty, and environmental protection. Chile’s forests, rivers, and biodiversity are often defended most fiercely by Indigenous communities, who are now on the frontlines of resistance against climate degradation. Yet, corporate interests continue to dominate policymaking. Ignoring the Mapuche demands perpetuates historical injustice and undermines democratic reform in one of Latin America’s most stable countries. Recognizing and restoring Mapuche rights could set a powerful precedent—not only for Chile, but for how modern states reconcile with the Indigenous nations they were built upon.

6. Ogaden (Somali Region of Ethiopia) – A War Abated but Not Forgotten

The Somali Region of Ethiopia—commonly referred to as Ogaden—has been the site of longstanding tensions between the Ethiopian state and ethnic Somalis seeking autonomy. Originally brought under imperial Ethiopian control in the late 19th century, Ogaden has remained one of the country’s most restive and marginalized areas. Armed struggle escalated in the 1970s with support from Somalia and intensified again in the 1990s, when the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) launched a sustained insurgency demanding self-determination. The Ethiopian government responded with scorched-earth tactics, culminating in a brutal crackdown between 2007 and 2008 that saw entire villages razed and thousands detained or tortured—including in the infamous “Jail Ogaden.”

Current Situation

A 2018 peace agreement between the ONLF and Ethiopia’s reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially ended the armed conflict. ONLF leaders returned from exile, and the group transitioned into a legal political organization. While the violence has subsided, the region remains fragile. Survivors continue to call for accountability and reparations for past atrocities. Infrastructure is still severely underdeveloped, and access to education, healthcare, and clean water remains limited. Clan rivalries, regional corruption, and sporadic violence persist, while the federal government has yet to fully deliver on promises of local empowerment. Meanwhile, oil and gas exploration in the region has resumed, raising fears of renewed unrest if development excludes local communities.

Why It Matters

Ogaden’s history is a cautionary tale about what happens when state violence is met with international silence. For years, global powers treated Ethiopia as a counterterrorism ally and overlooked egregious abuses in the Somali Region. The current peace, while welcome, is fragile. Without justice, inclusive development, and political reform, the region could slide back into instability. Moreover, Ogaden sits at a strategic crossroads—bordering Somalia and near major shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden—making its stability a regional security priority. As Ethiopia eyes natural resource extraction, the world must pay attention: peace cannot be sustained if it rests on unresolved grievances and exclusion from economic opportunity.

7. Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bangladesh) – Unfinished Peace for Indigenous Peoples

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), a forested and mountainous region in southeastern Bangladesh, is home to more than a dozen Indigenous ethnic groups collectively known as the Jumma peoples. After Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, the region became the site of one of South Asia’s least-known conflicts. Jumma communities—largely Buddhist, Christian, and animist—faced cultural marginalization, forced assimilation, and widespread land confiscation as Bengali settlers moved into the hills under state-sponsored programs. Armed conflict broke out in the late 1970s, led by the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS), and continued for two decades. In 1997, the Bangladesh government signed the CHT Peace Accord, promising regional autonomy, demilitarization, and land rights reform.

Current Situation

Over 25 years after the peace agreement, key provisions of the accord remain largely unfulfilled. Military camps still dot the region despite commitments to withdraw them. Bengali settlement continues, often backed by state agencies, leading to violent land disputes, displacement, and communal clashes. Indigenous land rights remain insecure, and attempts at local self-governance through Regional and Hill District Councils have been undermined by bureaucratic control from Dhaka. Sporadic violence persists, involving both security forces and competing Jumma factions. Human rights organizations continue to document arbitrary arrests, harassment of activists, and the erosion of Indigenous culture and language.

Why It Matters

The Chittagong Hill Tracts represent a critical test of Bangladesh’s commitment to pluralism, minority rights, and post-conflict reconciliation. The region is not only home to Indigenous cultures under threat—it also contains ecologically sensitive forests and watersheds critical to regional sustainability. Allowing impunity for land grabs and military abuses undermines the credibility of peacebuilding efforts both in Bangladesh and beyond. Failing to implement the CHT Accord sends a dangerous message: that peace deals can be signed and then ignored. International attention and support could help ensure the promises made in 1997 are finally kept, protecting the cultural rights and physical security of one of South Asia’s most vulnerable Indigenous populations.

8. Ahwaz (Khuzestan, Iran) – The Struggle of Iran’s Arab Minority

In Iran’s southwestern province of Khuzestan, the Ahwazi Arabs—an ethnic minority with cultural and linguistic ties to the Arab world—have long faced systemic discrimination. Once a semi-autonomous region known as Arabistan, Khuzestan was fully absorbed into Iran in the 1920s. Despite being one of the country’s wealthiest provinces in terms of natural resources—especially oil and gas—its Arab population experiences disproportionately high levels of poverty, pollution, and political repression. Ahwazis have protested for decades against the marginalization of their language, culture, and access to basic services, while successive Iranian governments have responded with militarized crackdowns and assimilation policies.

Current Situation

Recent years have seen repeated waves of Ahwazi protests, often triggered by environmental crises such as water shortages and air pollution—problems worsened by mismanagement, industrial development, and river diversion projects. In 2021, massive demonstrations erupted across Khuzestan over water scarcity, unemployment, and long-standing grievances. Iranian security forces responded with live ammunition, arrests, and internet blackouts. Dozens of protesters were killed or disappeared. Meanwhile, Ahwazi rights activists are frequently imprisoned on vague charges such as “spreading propaganda” or “acting against national security.” Iran has also executed several Ahwazi political prisoners in recent years, deepening fear within the community. Although an exiled separatist group exists, most local protests center on rights, dignity, and environmental justice—not secession.

Why It Matters

Ahwaz is a stark example of how resource-rich regions can become epicenters of inequality and repression when development excludes Indigenous or minority populations. Khuzestan’s oil fuels Iran’s economy and touches global energy markets, yet its Arab population sees few benefits and bears the brunt of environmental degradation. The international community’s focus on Iran’s nuclear program and regional politics has largely overshadowed the human rights abuses occurring in Ahwaz. How Iran treats its Arab minority is also a litmus test for the broader state of pluralism, environmental accountability, and political dissent inside the country. Amplifying Ahwazi voices could help protect a culture at risk—and reinforce the principle that oil wealth must never come at the cost of human dignity.

9. Casamance (Senegal) – Africa’s Forgotten Separatist Conflict

Casamance, a lush region in southern Senegal, has seen one of Africa’s longest and least-known separatist conflicts. The area lies south of The Gambia and is home to the Diola (Jola) and other ethnic groups with distinct languages and beliefs. Since Senegal gained independence in 1960, many in Casamance have felt ignored by the Wolof-led government in Dakar. In 1982, the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) began calling for independence. The result was a slow-burning conflict marked by ambushes, military raids, landmines, and repeated waves of internal displacement.

Current Situation

After years of sporadic violence and broken ceasefires, there has been real progress toward peace. Between 2022 and 2024, the Senegalese government signed peace agreements with key MFDC factions, mediated by neighboring Guinea-Bissau. Hundreds of fighters have disarmed, and many refugees have started returning to their villages. Still, challenges remain: pockets of armed rebels continue to operate, and vast areas remain mined and unsafe. Infrastructure in Casamance lags far behind the rest of Senegal, and communities long affected by conflict are in urgent need of investment in schools, hospitals, and roads. Demining and reintegration efforts are underway, but slow. Many residents remain skeptical, having seen past peace deals falter.

Why It Matters

Casamance is a rare example of an independence conflict inching toward resolution—an outcome the international community should champion. Supporting long-term peace here could serve as a model for resolving other underreported separatist struggles. At stake is more than national unity: lasting peace would allow Casamance’s rich agricultural land and biodiversity to be sustainably developed and protected. It also offers an opportunity for Senegal, often praised as a democratic success story, to demonstrate how inclusive governance and cultural respect can heal historic wounds. Ignoring this moment would risk reversing hard-won gains—and missing a chance to turn a “forgotten” war into a meaningful peace.

10. Biafra (Nigeria) – A Resurfacing Dream of Independence

In 1967, Nigeria’s southeastern region—home to the Igbo people—declared independence as Biafra, sparking a civil war that lasted until 1970. The Nigerian military imposed a blockade that caused mass starvation and the deaths of 500,000 to 3 million people. Biafra lost the war, but the trauma never faded. For decades, people avoided speaking openly about it. Today, many young Igbos are renewing calls for self-rule, pointing to continued marginalization, poor development, and the belief that Nigeria still treats them as outsiders.

Current Situation

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), founded in the 2010s and led by Nnamdi Kanu, has become the leading force in the revived Biafra movement. The group first called for peaceful protests and referendums, but the Nigerian government labeled it a terrorist group in 2017. Security forces have used deadly force to stop IPOB demonstrations. Human rights groups report hundreds of IPOB supporters have been killed or gone missing. After his arrest, Kanu fled into exile, but authorities later brought him back to Nigeria to face treason charges. In response to crackdowns, IPOB formed the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed wing accused of attacking police and enforcing “sit-at-home” orders. These shutdowns have hurt city economies in the southeast and worsened conflict with the federal government.

Why It Matters

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and its largest economy—what happens in Biafra reverberates across the continent. The resurgence of Biafran nationalism underscores persistent structural inequalities and the failure of national reconciliation after the civil war. If the Nigerian state continues to rely solely on force, it risks radicalizing more youth and pushing dissent underground. The Biafra issue also challenges global actors to reckon with the limits of state sovereignty when human rights are at stake. Addressing the region’s grievances—through political inclusion, federal restructuring, and economic justice—could help prevent a return to full-blown conflict. For Nigeria to thrive as a pluralistic democracy, it must confront its past and listen to voices it once tried to silence.

Each of these struggles – from Papua to Biafra – represents a people’s aspiration that has been ignored for too long.
While their contexts differ, they all underscore a common truth: when the world looks away, conflicts don’t disappear.
Those fighting for their rights and identity continue to suffer in silence.

Bringing these underreported struggles to light is the first step toward justice and lasting peace.
It reminds international stakeholders of a vital reality: dialogue and support—not indifference—resolve conflict.
Lasting peace is built on visibility and recognition, not suppression.
When suffering is ignored, it grows.
When voices are silenced, desperation follows.
Invisibility is not neutrality—it is complicity.
The world must choose to engage.

Even the most “forgotten” conflicts deserve attention, fairness, and hope.
Peace begins by listening.
Justice begins by looking.
Neither survives silence.

References

Western Sahara Conflict:

• Western Sahara conflict – Wikipedia​
• Western Saharan clashes (2020–present) – Wikipedia​
• Human rights in Western Sahara – Wikipedia​

West Papua Independence Movement:

• The flight to freedom of Phillip Mehrtens, the NZ pilot who survived 594 days in captivity – The Guardian​
• New Zealand pilot held captive in West Papua for 19 months ‘very happy’ after being freed – The Guardian​
• New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens freed from captivity in Indonesia’s Papua – Reuters​

Tuareg Rebellion in Mali:

• Drone attack in northern Mali kills at least 8, Tuareg rebels say – Reuters​

Papuan Conflict in Indonesia:

• Indonesia plans pardons for Papua prisoners, including separatist rebels – Reuters​

Palestinian Struggle:

• ‘Ceasefire’ is a hollow word for Palestinians – the killings, displacements and denial of aid continue – The Guardian​
• Child deaths surge amid ‘Gazafication’ of West Bank, report says – The Guardian​

Western Sahara Legal Developments:

• ECJ rules EU-Morocco trade deals invalid in Western Sahara – Reuters​
• French minister in Western Sahara to back Moroccan sovereignty – Reuters​
• UN envoy proposes Western Sahara partition plan – Reuters​