A Kenyan court said there was no evidence that the MRC (a secessionist group) had engaged in criminal activity.

"The court has been able to deduce that MRC is a political movement. Secession is a political agenda," Justice Francis Tuiyot said.

The court, however, stressed that the MRC must campaign for independence in a democratic way, without inciting war or promoting hate speech.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18996621

We will get there. Kenya is leading the way.
After a court ruling, next step will be referendum.

There's hope for Biafra, the land of the rising sun.

My brother Obiagu1

Ndigbo si na onye nyuchaa nsi okapighi ya onu, oghoo otoro! ( I won't translate this one! hehe )

Here is the news in full:

[size=14pt]Mombasa secessionist group unbanned by Kenyan court[/size]

A Kenyan court has lifted a ban on a group demanding an independent state around the coastal city of Mombasa - a popular tourist destination.

The government outlawed the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) in 2010, describing it as a "criminal group".

The government has said it will appeal the High Court's ruling that the ban was unconstitutional.

The ruling raises concern that Kenya's stability could be threatened by louder calls for secession, analysts say.

The MRC accuses the government of marginalising the indigenous ethnic groups living along the coast, which is also the centre of the country's tourism sector.

Dozens of MRC members have been arrested this year as the security forces try to enforce the ban.

'Grave implications'

The court said there was no evidence that the MRC had engaged in criminal activity.

"The court has been able to deduce that MRC is a political movement. Secession is a political agenda," Justice Francis Tuiyot said.

"The court therefore grants the MRC a chance to enjoy their political right. They should organise and register as a political party."

The court, however, stressed that the MRC must campaign for independence in a democratic way, without inciting war or promoting hate speech.

The MRC applauded the decision and the possibility of holding talks with the government.

Attorney General Githu Muigai said the government would appeal against the decision.
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"Any group or organisation challenging the constitutional authority and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kenya cannot enjoy protection by the constitution," he said.

The acting head of Kenya's Civil Service, Francis Kimemia, said security chiefs would hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the "grave implications" of the ruling.

"The rule of law will continue to be enforced without fear or favour," Mr Kimemia said.

"The government assures Kenyans of their security and that of their property countrywide."

In the past the government has rejected talks with the MRC, saying it must first drop its demands for independence.

The BBC's Kevin Mwachiro in the capital, Nairobi, says, the issue of secession of the coastal region, is not new and seems to resurface in the run-up to a general election.

Kenya is due to go to the polls again in March next year.

IMHO, this is the most ENLIGHTENED judicial ruling to come out of Africa -nay the world- in MANY years. A lot of governments are basically abusing the powers of state by muzzling citizens' right to freedom of speech and association. As we enter a new era of enlightenment in the world, more and more agents of state who violate citizens' right of free speech and association will be held PERSONALLY ACCOUNTABLE for such crimes against humanity.

One great moment of pride for African jurisprudence.

Onlytruth: IMHO, this is the most ENLIGHTENED judicial ruling to come out of Africa -nay the world- in MANY years. A lot of governments are basically abusing the powers of state by muzzling citizens' right to freedom of speech and association. As we enter a new era of enlightenment in the world, more and more agents of state who violate citizens' right of free speech and association will be help PERSONALLY ACCOUNTABLE for such crimes against humanity.

One great moment of pride for African jurisprudence.

This is like comparing Apples to Spoilt grape fruit. The aggrieved Kenyans are trying to secede in a civil manner, unlike Onlytruth and his crew, who went to war, lost the war, and continue to live in denial.

Of course, talk or act of secession is an innocuous political agenda. Only pigheaded dingbats and most deluded Nigerians would think secession is act of war as being demonstrated on the forum.

Dede1: Of course, talk or act of secession is an innocuous political agenda. Only [size=14pt]pigheaded dingbats[/size] and most deluded Nigerians would think secession is act of war as being demonstrated on the forum.

In order words, ndu_chucks is a pighead! hehehe!
I hear you bro.

I think that a lot of illiterate people tend to mix up things whenever the issue of secession comes up. They tend to not connect it with freedom of association and right to self determination which are protected by several UN charters. They tend to somehow warp the argument.
The fact remains that it is a POLITICAL action (not criminal action) to decide that you don't want to continue to associate politically with anyone within any defined nation.
If you use state powers to muzzle that right, you are violating international laws and one day will be held PERSONALLY accountable. You cannot hide under any state powers to commit international crimes. There is a new wind blowing round the world today. ndu_chucks take note.

It is even dangerously amazing most Nigerians who spent few years in the lane of educational system could not fathom the fact that Gowon, in cohort with the military governors of northern, western and mid-western regions of Nigeria, precipitated a war on eastern region because the latter decide to secede from the union called Nigeria. I guess tribal inducement is a gem in the jungle called Nigeria.

I wish MASSOB and other groups will follow this route. Get a court ruling and start mobilizing for a referendum.

@ ndu_chucks, will the above be acceptable to you?