Communitarian Nation of Moskitia

The Communitarian Nation of Moskitia is an area of Eastern Nicaragua which, on July 28, 2002, announced its intentions of creating an independent nation. The announcement was made by a group of indigenous council of elders, who hoped that "the new nation will have its own model of life, its government, its parliament, its ministers and its laws." [http://www.nicanet.org/hotline.php?id=35 Nicaragua Network News Service: New Miskito Nation Announced July 29, 2002]

History

According to Oscar Hogdson, the legal representative to the indigenous tribes, plans for an independent nation had been in the works since 2001. An accord was signed between 280 communities, pledging peaceful coexistence with neighboring Nicaragua. Hogdson told Nicaragua Network News Service that he and the rest of the fledgling nation expected a response by the Organization of American States and the United Nations some time in 2003, a response which they still haven't received.

The reason for the split from Nicaragua, according to Hogdson, was to protect its natural resources, which, in the case of Moskitia, would be petroleum. According to Mr. Hogdson, the Nicaraguan government was exploiting petroleum reserves in Moskitia, which the Moskitians felt rightfully belonged to them. The Moskitians also wished that no petrol taken from the area until the indigenous peoples of the area learned how to harness it for the benefit of their own communities.

Political Structure

The Nicaragua Network News Service reported that the Communitarian Nation of Moskitia would have three branches of government:

*Whita: Judicial system

*Tasba Kan Kah Kahbra: A legislative body, composed of representatives from each of the 280 communities.

*Whita Tara: Supreme Chief, an executive role, under whom there is Ninka, or Second Chief. The Whita Tara will be in charge of any relations with other countries, as well as division of natural resources, through the help and advice of secretaries of infrastructure, and the community representatives.

Demographics

Oscar Hogdson told the Nicaraguan Network News Service that there would be seven different ethnic groups sharing the land in Moskitia:

*Mestizos

*Miskitos

*Sumos or Mayagnas

*Ramas

*Afro-Nicaraguans

*Garifonos

*Creoles

External links

* [http://www.nicanet.org/hotline.php?id=35#topic3]

References