by Robert Russell
Adenle Adewale, Nigeria
#1 Nigerian Big Man General
Sani Abacha died in 1997 after waging the most through war on
the media that Nigeria has ever known. Adenle Adewale received
threats from one of the many arms of the Nigerian security services
for this cartoon. In it we see that the "draft constitution"
is a "daft" constitution, and the General himself is
seen making time with the political parties while progress on
bringing Nigeria under the rule of law goes to sleep. Only after
Abacha died did the press in Nigeria begin to bounce back to
its pre-Abacha days as a lively and irreverent check on corruption
and intregue. |
Cartoonists in trouble:
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#2. In this cartoon, we see the General
encouraging Nigerians to fight threatened international sanctions
then being threatened by the international community becasue
of Abacha's brutal and corrupt rule. In many countries of the
world, a cartoonist can attack the party in power, they can attack
policies, and even lower ranking Ministers or party leaders.
The taboo that usually gets them into trouble is directly attacking
the "Big Man."
#3.
Eying a Nigerian Man's tastiest dish, Adewale sympathises with
Nigeria's longing for a democratic government, the country helpless
under the power of a military jack boot.
#4. We like the way Adenle covered the word "assassinations"
with a skull.
Source
Agencies:
Committee to Protect Journalists
Reporters sans Frontieres
International Federation of Journalists
International Freedom of Expression Clearing House
Human Rights Watch
Amnesty International
World Association of Newspapers
The NEWSEUM
And other human rights organizations that cannot now be mentioned.
Your suggestions
and comments are appreciated. E-mail Robert Russell
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