“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” — Harry S. Truman
Today In History
1.The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Declared An All-Out Onslaught In Niger Delta
On this day in 2010, Nigeria’s main rebel group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) called off a truce in Niger Delta and declared an all-out onslaught against the oil industry.
The rebel group had earlier declared the unilateral ceasefire on October 25 to give a chance to “meaningful” dialogue with authorities, however the group alleged the government of nonchalance.
2. The Brazzaville Conference Opened
On this day in 1944, the Brazzaville conference was opened by French leader, Charles de Gaulle. The conference, which was held in Brazzaville, present day Republic of the Congo recommended political, social and economic reforms and led to an agreement called the Brazzaville Declaration.
De Gaulle made numerous concessions like end of forced labour, the end of special legal restrictions that applied to indigenous people to solicit support from the colonies as the French survival hinged on it. However, he explicitly rejected independence as a future possibility.
3. Rassemblement Démocratique Africain Clash With French Colonial Police In Côte D’Ivoire
On this day in 1950, Rassemblement Démocratique Africain (RDA) clashed with French colonial police at Dimbokro where 13 Africans were killed and 50 wounded.
4. Nelson Mandela And Other Anti-Apartheid Activists Were Charged With High Treason
On this day in 1958, Magistrate F.C. Wessels found sufficient evidence for Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activities to be charged with high treason, to which they pleaded not guilty and were subsequently released on bail.
5. Tanzania President Julius Nyerere Nationalised All Banks In The Country
On this day in 1967, Tanzania President Julius Nyerere, as stated in his Arusha Declaration, nationalised all banks in the country.
6. South Africa’s Occupation of Namibia Was Declared Illegal By United Nations Security Council
On this day in 1970, after several warnings to South Africa, the United Nations security council declared that the continued occupation of the South African authorities in Namibia was illegal and that all acts taken by the South African Government on behalf of or concerning Namibia after the termination of the Mandate were illegal and invalid. The U.N security council also ordered all states to refrain to from any dealings with the South African Government that were incompatible with that declaration.
7. Kenya Airways Flight Crashed
On this day in 2000, Kenya Airways Flight 431, an international passenger flight enroute Abidjan-Lagos-Nairobi crashed into the sea off the Ivory Coast, shortly after takeoff from Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, Abidjan. Only 10 people survived out of the 179 on board.
8. World Health Organization (WHO) Declared Covid-19 Pandemic To Be Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
On this day in 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 pandemic to be public health emergency of international concern. The pandemic has ranked fifth in the list of deadliest epidemics and pandemics in history as at January, 2024.
