Underreported Struggles: Movements the World Forgot

The Resistance Hub

In a world saturated with headlines, some of the longest-running human rights and independence struggles receive scant international attention. These underreported movements fight for freedom, dignity, and recognition against formidable odds. Below, we spotlight a diverse range of such struggles across different regions – each with a brief background, a look at the current situation, and why it matters globally.

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

Historical Background

West Papua, the western half of New Guinea, was a Dutch colony that was handed over to Indonesia in the 1960s under the UN-brokered New York Agreement​. Indigenous Papuans never freely chose this transfer, and many have opposed Indonesian rule ever since. Over the past six decades, at least 100,000–200,000 West Papuans are estimated to have been killed amid military crackdowns and conflict​, leading some to label it a “slow-motion genocide.” Papuans have been subjected to violent human rights abuses, land grabs, and an influx of Indonesian settlers that threaten their culture​.

Current Situation

Despite persistent armed resistance and peaceful protests calling for independence, West Papua’s plight rarely makes global headlines. Indonesian authorities tightly restrict media and UN access to the region, keeping reports of extrajudicial killings, torture, and mass displacement largely out of sight​. The conflict has escalated in recent years – for example, in 2023, Papuan rebels abducted a New Zealand pilot to draw attention to their cause​. The Indonesian military’s heavy presence and offensives have forced over 76,000 indigenous Papuans from their homes as internal refugees​. Peaceful activism is often met with arrests and force; even raising the West Papuan Morning Star flag can lead to imprisonment.

Why It Matters: West Papua is rich in natural resources (gold, copper, forests) that benefit global companies, even as its people suffer, raising ethical questions about international complicity. Ongoing abuses test the world’s commitment to human rights – the conflict endures in part because major powers have political and economic ties with Indonesia and choose silence​. For other indigenous peoples and small nations, West Papua’s struggle is a bellwether of whether the international community will uphold self-determination or continue to “turn a blind eye” to oppression​. Greater awareness could pressure Jakarta to seek dialogue and allow humanitarian access, potentially preventing further bloodshed in a conflict the world has largely forgotten.

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

Historical Background: Western Sahara, a sparsely populated territory on Africa’s Atlantic coast, was a Spanish colony until 1975. When Spain withdrew, Morocco annexed most of Western Sahara, sparking a war with the pro-independence Polisario Front (which had declared the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic)​. Mauritania initially took a portion, too, but withdrew in 1979 after a military defeat​. By the 1980s, Morocco controlled about 80% of the land behind a 2,700 km sand wall, while Polisario held the rest​. A 1991 UN-brokered ceasefire promised a referendum on self-determination, but Morocco has never allowed that vote​. The conflict remains unresolved, and Western Sahara is still listed by the UN as a non-self-governing territory pending decolonization​.

Current Situation

Tension has been rising again after decades of “frozen” conflict. In late 2020, Moroccan forces entered a UN buffer zone to clear Sahrawi protesters, and the Polisario responded by declaring the ceasefire null and void, resuming armed struggle​. Active fighting remains low-intensity, but frustration is high, especially among young Sahrawis who have spent their entire lives in refugee camps in the Algerian desert. Roughly 173,000 Sahrawis live in camps dependent on aid, while those in Moroccan-held areas face discrimination and crackdowns for calling for independence​. Morocco has offered autonomy but insists the territory is its sovereign part; it has gained backing from some countries (including a 2020 U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty) – moves that Polisario and Algeria reject​. Meanwhile, UN efforts have stalled, and a new envoy struggles to restart negotiations as diplomacy hits a stalemate.

Why It Matters

Western Sahara is often called “Africa’s last colony”, and its fate tests the world’s commitment to international law and self-determination. The African Union and many nations support the Sahrawi right to decide their future, but powerful players have prioritized strategic and economic ties with Morocco. This stalemate fuels regional instability: Algeria (which backs Polisario) severed ties with Morocco, and sporadic clashes risk widening into a regional conflict​. The situation also sets a precedent – if Morocco’s de facto annexation is accepted, it could embolden other territorial grabs. Finally, there’s a humanitarian imperative: an entire generation of Sahrawis has grown up in exile or under occupation. Resolving this forgotten conflict would ease suffering in the camps and uphold the principle that colonial-era disputes must be settled by the wishes of the people, not by force.

3. Balochistan (Pakistan) – A Struggle in the Shadows

Historical Background

Balochistan, a vast, arid region rich in resources, was annexed by Pakistan in 1948 amid a dispute over an independent Baloch state. Since then, the ethnic Baloch have waged multiple uprisings (in 1948, the 1960s-70s, and ongoing since the early 2000s) seeking autonomy or independence​. Each revolt has been met with heavy Pakistani military repression. The current phase of insurgency, rekindled around 2004 and intensifying since 2014, is one of the deadliest – yet it remains largely overlooked internationally, overshadowed by conflicts like Afghanistan or Kashmir​. Baloch nationalists cite a long history of economic exploitation: despite Balochistan’s vast natural gas, coal, and mineral wealth, the local population remains impoverished and marginalized. Pakistani authorities have also conducted nuclear tests on Baloch land and built the strategic Gwadar port, all with little input from the Baloch people. These grievances have sustained a decades-long quest for self-determination that the world hears little about.

Current Situation

Pakistan’s response to Baloch activism has been fierce. Human rights groups have documented a systematic campaign of enforced disappearances – thousands of Baloch activists, students, and civilians have been abducted by security forces and often never seen again​. Extrajudicial killings and torture are frequently reported, creating a climate of fear. On the insurgency front, Baloch militant groups continue attacks on Pakistani military targets and infrastructure; in recent years, they have also targeted Chinese projects, as China’s Belt and Road investments (like the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor) run through Balochistan. This has prompted even harsher crackdowns, with Pakistan branding the insurgents as terrorists. The cycle of violence shows no sign of abating – as the insurgency becomes more organized and deadly, the army’s presence has grown, and entire districts have seen fighting. Meanwhile, ordinary Baloch civilians are caught in between, facing displacement and repression. Local protests (led notably by Baloch women) against disappearances are ongoing despite the dangers​.​

Why It Matters

Balochistan’s struggle, though underreported, has implications beyond Pakistan. The repression is a human rights crisis in its own right, with thousands of families seeking answers about missing loved ones​. There’s also a security dimension: Pakistan’s stability is crucial in a volatile region, and a widening conflict in Balochistan could spill over into neighboring areas​. The violence already periodically crosses into Iran, where Iranian Balochis face similar issues. Furthermore, global powers are indirectly involved – for instance, Chinese investment in the region means Beijing is seen as backing Pakistan’s hardline approach​. This raises questions about international accountability and the cost of development that sidelines local rights. Finally, the Baloch case highlights the challenge of balancing state sovereignty with the rights of ethnic minorities. If the world continues to ignore Balochistan’s pleas, the conflict will likely grind on, destabilizing an area rife with strategic significance (from trade routes to potential pipelines) and perpetuating a grave humanitarian toll out of the spotlight.

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

Historical Background

The English-speaking minority of Cameroon, known as Southern Cameroons, was a British-administered territory that joined French-speaking Cameroon in 1961 under a federal arrangement. Over time, Cameroon’s central government eliminated the federal system, imposing the French language and policies in Anglophone regions. Decades of perceived marginalization ensued, as English-speaking communities in the Northwest and Southwest regions felt like second-class citizens in what they call their ancestral land, “Ambazonia.” Grievances came to a head in 2016 when Anglophone lawyers and teachers peacefully protested the use of French in courts and schools​. The state’s violent crackdown on these protests – including arrests and shootings – radicalized the movement. By October 2017, separatists declared independence for Ambazonia, reigniting a conflict dormant since the colonial era​.

Current Situation

What began as peaceful demonstrations have morphed into a brutal armed conflict largely ignored outside the region. For the past six years, government troops and Ambazonian separatist militias have clashed in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, committing widespread atrocities against civilians​. Over 6,000 people have been killed since 2016 (a conservative estimate)​, and by 2023, roughly 600,000 were internally displaced, with 70,000+ more fleeing to Nigeria​. Government forces have been accused of burning villages, extrajudicial killings, and torture, while separatists have targeted those who don’t support their cause, enforcing school boycotts and kidnapping civilians​. Everyday life is marked by fear: schools are often closed due to threats, and humanitarian access is severely limited. Despite the scale of suffering, the conflict gets minimal international press coverage, earning it the moniker of “one of the world’s most neglected crises.” The Cameroonian government has so far resisted substantive dialogue, denying the severity of the issue even as violence rages on.

Why It Matters

The plight of Ambazonia challenges the international community’s responsibility to protect civilians. Cameroon was once seen as a stable Central African nation, but this hidden war undermines regional stability – it has already sent refugees into Nigeria and created lawless zones that could harbor other threats. The lack of global attention or action has arguably emboldened both sides to continue fighting with impunity​. For example, the UN Security Council has held only one informal meeting on this crisis​, a telling sign of international reluctance to get involved. Yet the principles at stake are universal: cultural rights (English vs. French language), federalism vs. centralism, and the protection of minorities. A peaceful resolution and genuine autonomy arrangements could save lives and set a precedent for addressing similar linguistic or regional conflicts elsewhere. Ignoring Ambazonia’s cry for help, on the other hand, could allow atrocities to continue unchecked and signal to authoritarian governments that crackdowns will go unnoticed as long as the world’s eyes are turned away.

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

Historical Background

The Mapuche are the largest Indigenous group in Chile and one of the few in the Americas never fully conquered by European colonists – they successfully resisted Spanish rule for over 300 years. It was not until the 1880s, in a campaign known as the “Pacification of Araucanía,” that the Chilean army occupied Mapuche territories by force​. The Mapuche were dispossessed of most of their ancestral land and confined to small reservations, suffering policies of assimilation and repression throughout the 20th century. During Pinochet’s dictatorship (1973–1990), for instance, communal lands were privatized, and Mapuche leaders were persecuted​. Despite this history, most Mapuche demands have been for autonomy, land rights, and respect for their culture – not outright secession. The Chilean state’s slow response to these demands set the stage for a long-simmering conflict over land and rights often overlooked outside Chile.

Current Situation

The Mapuche’s struggle today centers on reclaiming lands and defending the environment in Chile’s southern regions. Tensions have escalated in recent years due to the rapid expansion of logging and agribusiness on Mapuche land, often with state support​. Some Mapuche communities have resorted to land occupations and sabotage of equipment (such as burning tree plantations or trucks) as forms of protest. The state has responded by militarizing the Araucanía region – deploying special forces and even draconian anti-terrorism laws against Mapuche activists. This has led to violent confrontations, arrests of community leaders, and incidents like the unresolved disappearance of a 70-year-old Mapuche elder in 2024 amid land conflicts​. Ordinary Mapuche people also face discrimination and poverty, with their language (Mapudungun) and way of life threatened by centuries of marginalization​. The new Chilean government under President Gabriel Boric promised a fresh approach, including dialogue and land reparations, but progress has been limited. Many Indigenous activists feel the underlying issues – land restitution, political autonomy, and an end to corporate exploitation of Mapuche territory – remain unresolved.

Why It Matters

The Mapuche conflict illustrates the broader struggle of Indigenous peoples in the modern world to protect their rights and environment. Globally, it resonates with other fights against deforestation and for Indigenous sovereignty, from the Amazon to Standing Rock. Chile’s forests and biodiversity are of global importance, and Mapuche land defenders risk their lives to halt ecological destruction by timber companies​. The world has largely ignored this, even as we celebrate Chile’s democracy and development. Moreover, the Mapuche case is a reminder that historical injustices – if unaddressed – can fuel contemporary conflicts in even high-income, stable countries. Supporting a peaceful resolution (such as through land transfers and recognition of Indigenous autonomy as outlined in international law) could set a precedent in Latin America. Ignoring it, however, means tacitly accepting that economic interests may trump Indigenous rights. As climate change accelerates, the knowledge and stewardship of Indigenous peoples like the Mapuche over their lands matter to everyone, making their struggle more than just a local issue – it’s part of the global fight for human rights and environmental justice.

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

Historical Background

The Somali Region of Ethiopia – often called Ogaden – has long been contested. Incorporated into Ethiopia during the late 19th-century imperial expansions, the region is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Somalis who share language and culture with neighboring Somalia. Marginalized under Ethiopian rule, Somali insurgents have periodically rebelled. The Western Somali Liberation Front’s uprising led to the Ethiopia-Somalia war of 1977–78 (in which Somalia invaded Ogaden, only to be repelled). Later, from 1994 until 2018, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) waged a low-intensity guerrilla war against the Ethiopian government, seeking self-determination​. This conflict was brutal: Ethiopian forces were accused of war crimes, including a scorched-earth campaign in 2007–2008 marked by extrajudicial killings, village burnings, and severe torture of prisoners in places like the notorious Jail Ogaden​. During those years, the Ogaden conflict was largely hidden from world scrutiny due to Ethiopia’s tight control of media and aid groups in the area.

Current Situation

A rare positive turn came in 2018 when Ethiopia’s reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made peace with the ONLF. A peace agreement ended the armed insurgency​, and ONLF leaders returned from exile, transitioning into a political party​. The past five years have seen the Somali Region attain a relative peace not enjoyed in decades. However, the legacy of conflict and underdevelopment remains. The region still suffers from extreme poverty, infrastructure gaps, and the trauma of past abuses – issues a new regional administration is trying to address. There are ongoing calls for accountability and reconciliation: survivors of the infamous Jail Ogaden torture prison seek justice, and a truth commission has begun work, though reaching remote communities with justice is a challenge​. Moreover, root grievances like political exclusion and resource rights linger beneath the surface. The Somali Region has oil and gas reserves that foreign companies are eyeing, which could rekindle tensions if local people don’t benefit. Clan conflicts and drought (part of the Horn of Africa’s climate crises) also pose risks to the fragile calm. Thus, while open warfare has ceased, the struggle for genuine autonomy, economic opportunity, and respect within Ethiopia continues for the Somali people of Ogaden.

Why It Matters

Ogaden’s story is a cautionary tale of a conflict that festered in silence. For years, international allies treated Ethiopia as a partner against terrorism and overlooked its abuses in the Somali Region, allowing grievous human rights violations to go largely unpunished​. This silence had human costs and possibly prolonged the suffering. On the positive side, the 2018 peace deal shows that even entrenched conflicts can find resolution through dialogue – a hopeful example for other underreported wars. Consolidating this peace is important for the Horn of Africa: Ethiopia is a linchpin state, and instability in Ogaden can spill into Somalia or destabilize efforts against extremist groups. Globally, there’s also an energy angle. As companies pursue Ogaden’s gas, the world should heed calls for corporate responsibility so that development doesn’t come at the expense of local rights (a past Chinese oil venture in 2007 led to violence​. In summary, the Ogaden struggle highlights the need for sustained attention even after a conflict officially “ends.” Without international support for reconciliation, equitable development, and human rights, the hard-won peace could yet fray – and an overlooked war could return to haunt the region.

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

Historical Background

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in southeastern Bangladesh are home to several Indigenous ethnic groups (collectively known as the Jumma people). These hill peoples had enjoyed relative autonomy under British rule, but after Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, they faced cultural and land encroachment by the Bengali majority. Attempts by the hill tribes to secure autonomy were rebuffed, and by the mid-1970s, an insurgency erupted. The Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) and its armed wing, the Shanti Bahini, fought the Bangladeshi army from 1977 to 1997 in a bloody conflict that killed thousands and displaced countless villagers​. This little-known war was marked by brutal counterinsurgency tactics and communal violence as the government-sponsored Bengali settlements in Indigenous areas. In 1997, a landmark Peace Accord was signed, formally ending the insurgency and promising regional self-government, land dispute resolution, and withdrawal of military camps​. The accord brought hope that a just peace would replace the decades of strife in the CHT.

Current Situation

Nearly 26 years after the peace deal, many of its key provisions remain only on paper. The promised autonomy – including a regional council and local control of land and resources – has been implemented slowly or not at all​. Bengali settlers continue to expand into traditional Jumma lands, often leading to clashes. Indigenous communities report that land grabs for plantations (rubber, timber), development projects, and even tourism are displacing them without proper consultation or compensation​. Tensions have, at times, reignited into violence: there are still sporadic armed clashes involving factions of former rebel groups and state-backed militias. The region is also heavily militarized, with a dense network of army camps despite the accord’s call for demilitarization. Human rights groups document ongoing abuses – from forced evictions and communal attacks to arbitrary arrests of Indigenous activists​. Frustration runs high among Jumma people who feel they traded their guns for promised rights that never fully materialized. While open war has not resumed, a “slow conflict” persists, manifesting in protests, blockades, and occasional deadly skirmishes. The CHT issue rarely makes international news, overshadowed by Bangladesh’s economic growth narrative and other crises like the Rohingya refugee influx next door.

Why It Matters

The Chittagong Hill Tracts illustrate the challenges of implementing peace accords for minority rights. If the world ignores this situation, there’s a risk that a successful conflict resolution could unravel, undermining faith in peaceful negotiation in other ethnic conflicts. The CHT is also a test of Bangladesh’s commitment to pluralism and Indigenous rights – a country often hailed for development gains must not leave part of its population behind. The humanitarian stakes are significant: ongoing land dispossession and violence mean that thousands of Jumma families live in insecurity and poverty. Moreover, the region’s forested hills are environmentally sensitive; Indigenous stewardship could be key to preserving them, whereas plantation agriculture and unchecked development threaten biodiversity. Globally, supporting the rights of Indigenous peoples in places like the CHT aligns with commitments to sustainable development and preventing ethnic strife. Bringing international attention to Bangladesh’s “forgotten” Indigenous struggle could encourage Dhaka to fully honor the peace accord. In turn, that would safeguard cultural diversity and stability in a region where mistrust still runs deep – proving that even protracted conflicts can find a just end if promises are kept.

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

Historical Background

In the southwestern corner of Iran lies Khuzestan province, home to a large ethnic Arab community often called the Ahwazi Arabs. Once known as Arabistan under local rulers, the region was absorbed into Iran in the 1920s by Reza Shah, ending its autonomous status​. Khuzestan is Iran’s economic lifeline – it holds massive oil fields – yet its Arab residents have historically faced discrimination, forced assimilation, and neglect. Over the decades, resentment simmered. There were protests in the 1979 revolution for greater autonomy (met with a military crackdown known as “Black Wednesday,” when unarmed Arab demonstrators were shot)​. The community remained loyal during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88) despite Saddam Hussein’s attempts to stir separatism. But grievances endured post-war: Arabs in Iran complain of being treated as second-class citizens, their Arabic language suppressed, and few benefiting from the oil wealth beneath their feet​. A leaked letter in 2005 (allegedly proposing to dilute Arab presence by relocating Persians into Khuzestan) sparked mass protests which turned bloody – security forces killed over 30 protesters and arrested hundreds​. Since then, sporadic unrest, including bombings and crackdowns, has plagued the region, largely unnoticed outside the Middle East.

Current Situation

In recent years, Khuzestan has seen waves of protests over chronic issues: water shortages, pollution, unemployment, and political marginalization. The region’s once fertile lands are stricken by drought and river diversion projects, leading to severe water crises. In July 2021, thousands of Ahwazi Arabs took to the streets over water scarcity and government mismanagement – protests that spread to other cities in Iran​. Iranian authorities responded with live ammunition and sweeping arrests; at least several protesters were killed, and internet blackouts followed​. Meanwhile, Iranian security agencies keep a close grip on any hint of separatism. Activists advocating for Arab minority rights or even cultural recognition have been imprisoned or even executed on vague “terrorism” charges. An armed separatist group (the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz) does exist in exile. It has been blamed for attacks – such as a 2018 assault on a military parade in Ahvaz – but many local protesters emphasize civic demands over separatism. Daily life for Ahwazis remains hard: Khuzestan’s cities suffer some of Iran’s worst air pollution and poverty despite sitting on oilfields. The disconnect is stark and fuels a sense of injustice. Yet these struggles seldom register globally, overshadowed by Iran’s nuclear saga and nationwide politics.

Why It Matters

The Ahwazi Arab struggle highlights the intersection of ethnic rights and resource justice. Khuzestan’s oil fuels Iran’s economy and global oil markets, but the local Arab population bears a disproportionate share of the environmental damage and repression that come with it. This raises moral questions for international companies and powers engaged with Iran’s energy sector. Additionally, instability in Khuzestan can ripple outward – it borders Iraq and is near the Gulf, a region critical to world energy security. Indeed, Iran has accused foreign powers of stirring unrest among Ahwazis. At the same time, exiled activists seek international support for their cause, turning this into another flashpoint in Iran’s relations with its Arab neighbors. On a human level, ignoring the Ahwazi struggle means turning a blind eye to yet another minority whose culture is at risk (for instance, few schools teach in Arabic, and Shia Ahwazi Arabs and a minority of Ahwazi Sunnis face religious as well as ethnic bias​. With Iran experiencing nationwide protests in recent years, the treatment of the Ahwazi Arabs is a bellwether of how the regime deals with dissent and diversity. Globally, standing up for their rights would reinforce the principle that even in geopolitically sensitive nations, the voices of marginalized peoples should not be drowned out – that economic interests in oil must not trump fundamental human rights.

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

Historical Background

Casamance, the southern region of Senegal, has fought one of Africa’s longest-running separatist conflicts – yet one of the least internationally known. Geographically separated from the rest of Senegal by the country of The Gambia, Casamance has a distinct identity; its largest ethnic group (the Diola/Jola) has different religious and cultural practices from Senegal’s northern communities. Post-independence, many Casamance residents felt economically neglected and politically marginalized by the Wolof-dominated government in Dakar. In 1982, simmering discontent erupted when the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) launched an independence movement. The Senegalese government responded with force, and a low-level civil war ensued. Over the next two decades, thousands of people were killed and many more displaced as the MFDC fragmented into factions and sporadic fighting continued​. The conflict never escalated to the intensity of some wars, but it was brutal in its own way – marked by landmine proliferation, village attacks, and cycles of army reprisals and rebel ambushes. Peace initiatives came and went (ceasefires in 1991, 2004, etc.), but a definitive resolution remained elusive, and Casamance’s beautiful forests turned into one of the most mined regions in the world. Through it all, outside media and powers largely ignored Casamance, as Senegal’s overall stability kept the conflict on the back burner of international concern.

Current Situation

After decades of fighting, Casamance is closer to peace today than it has been in 40 years. In August 2022 and again in 2023/2024, the Senegalese state struck peace agreements with key rebel factions, thanks to mediation by neighboring Guinea-Bissau​. Hundreds of rebel fighters have laid down arms, and many refugees are beginning to return home. The region is war-weary: an entire generation has grown up amid uncertainty, and basic infrastructure like roads, schools, and healthcare lag far behind. As of early 2025, the guns have largely fallen silent, though a few holdout rebel elements remain in hiding. The focus has shifted to demining and reconstruction – removing thousands of landmines so that farmers can safely till their fields again. However, challenges persist: former combatants need reintegration, and the grievances that led to the conflict – land rights, local governance, and equitable development – need to be addressed to prevent future flare-ups. The Senegalese government, once dismissive of Casamance’s demands, now seems keen to invest in the region’s economy (which has huge agricultural and tourism potential). Notably, media freedoms and access have improved, shedding light on this once-hidden conflict. Yet despite positive developments, many around the world are still unaware that Senegal (often praised as a model democracy in Africa) had an internal war at all.

Why It Matters

The Casamance conflict may be on the path to resolution, which is good news that merits global support – successful peace here could serve as a model for resolving other forgotten conflicts. It shows the value of persistence in peace negotiations and the importance of addressing local aspirations for autonomy. Globally, it’s a reminder that even in countries seen as stable, marginalized regions can harbor deep discontent; ignoring those concerns allows conflicts to fester for decades. There’s also a humanitarian angle: landmines from this “forgotten war” have killed or maimed hundreds, and clearing them is an international priority that requires technical and financial help. Moreover, Casamance’s rainforest and river delta ecosystem, once off-limits due to fighting, could be protected and developed sustainably if peace holds – an environmental win. Finally, the story of Casamance is about cultural respect. The people of Casamance retained their identity through a long struggle; a lasting peace will depend on Senegal honoring that identity within the nation. In a world where secessionist conflicts often end in stalemate or state collapse, Casamance’s hopeful turn towards peace is a rare bright spot – one that the international community should nurture, ensuring this four-decades-old struggle truly becomes a chapter in history rather than a continuing saga​.

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

Historical Background

In 1967, the Igbo people of Nigeria’s southeast declared independence as the Republic of Biafra, sparking a horrific civil war. The Nigerian government blockaded Biafra, and by the war’s end in 1970, an estimated 500,000 to 3,000,000 people had perished, many from starvation in what became one of the 20th century’s worst humanitarian disasters​. Biafra’s defeat forced the territory back into Nigeria, and the topic remained largely taboo for decades under military rule. But the wounds of the civil war – which left deep feelings of marginalization among the Igbo – never fully healed. Fast forward to the mid-2010s, and a new generation began reviving the dream of Biafra. Groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by activist Nnamdi Kanu, gained mass followings by alleging that the Igbo and other southeasterners are still treated unfairly in Nigeria. They cite grievances such as underrepresentation in government, neglect of infrastructure in the region, and remembrance of past atrocities. Thus, nearly 50 years after the war, the cry for Biafra rose again, largely through protests and online activism – much of it underreported internationally, given Nigeria’s other crises.

Current Situation

The renewed Biafra agitation has been mostly non-violent in form (rallies, boycotts, and calls for a referendum), but the Nigerian government’s response has been heavy-handed. Since 2015, security forces have repeatedly cracked down on pro-Biafra demonstrations. Amnesty International documented that by 2016, at least 150 peaceful Biafran protesters had been killed by Nigerian forces in various incidents​

Hundreds of activists have been arrested or have disappeared in custody. IPOB was banned and labeled a terrorist organization by the government in 2017. Its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested (after a period in exile) and is currently facing trial on treason charges. In the face of repression, some elements of the movement have radicalized – an armed wing known as the Eastern Security Network (ESN) has emerged, leading to sporadic clashes with police and an uptick in violence in the Southeast (including arson attacks on government facilities). The region also endures frequent “sit-at-home” strikes enforced by separatists, which have disrupted the local economy and daily life. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s central government, dealing with multiple conflicts (Boko Haram in the northeast, banditry in the northwest), has largely swept the Biafra issue under the rug internationally, portraying it as a bygone quirk of history rather than an active movement.

Why It Matters

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and its largest economy – instability there resonates across the continent. A resurgence of the Biafra conflict would be catastrophic domestically and concerning globally, given the previous war’s death toll. Preventing such a scenario requires addressing the legitimate grievances of the Igbo and other southeastern peoples in Nigeria today. The underreported oppression of Biafran activists raises alarms about Abuja’s commitment to human rights and inclusive governance. Moreover, the Biafra issue connects to the broader theme of self-determination: how should multi-ethnic states reconcile past injustices and give minorities a voice? The world’s reluctance to engage (perhaps remembering the diplomatic complexities of the 1960s civil war) does not make the issue disappear – it merely festers. International attention could encourage dialogue, such as calls for restructuring Nigeria’s federation to grant regions more autonomy, which might defuse separatist sentiment. Lastly, learning from Biafra has global value: the 1967–70 famine images helped spur the modern humanitarian movement. Today’s quiet suffering (protesters shot, communities intimidated) is a test of whether we have learned that lesson. Shining a light on “forgotten” Biafra is crucial to ensure Africa’s sleeping giant, Nigeria, can move forward without leaving many of its people feeling voiceless and driven to extreme options​.

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 that dialogue and support, not indifference, are the keys to resolving even the most “forgotten” of conflicts.

References

Western Sahara Conflict:

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

West Papua Independence Movement:

• The flight to freedom of Phillip Mehrtens, the NZ pilot who survived 594 days in captivity – The Guardian​reuters.com+3theguardian.com+3theguardian.com+3
• New Zealand pilot held captive in West Papua for 19 months ‘very happy’ after being freed – The Guardian​reuters.com+3theguardian.com+3theguardian.com+3
• New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens freed from captivity in Indonesia’s Papua – Reuters​reuters.com+1theguardian.com+1

Tuareg Rebellion in Mali:

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

Papuan Conflict in Indonesia:

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

Palestinian Struggle:

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

Western Sahara Legal Developments:

• ECJ rules EU-Morocco trade deals invalid in Western Sahara – Reuters​reuters.com
• French minister in Western Sahara to back Moroccan sovereignty – Reuters​reuters.com+2reuters.com+2reuters.com+2
• UN envoy proposes Western Sahara partition plan – Reuters​reuters.com