Weekly Report - 14 May 2009 (WR-09-19)

NICARAGUA | Nación Miskito. The indigenous Miskito Council of Elders in Bilwi, the provincial capital of the North Atlantic Autonomous Region (Raan) named Reverend Wycliff Diego Blandón as its ambassador to the US last week. This strange development follows the Council's announcement that the Atlantic coast (comprising the Raan and South Atlantic Autonomous Region [Raas]), home to various indigenous groups, was seceding to form an independent Nación Miskito. The Council pronounced all land titles, concessions and contracts issued by the Nicaraguan government invalid and ordered taxes to be paid to the new self-proclaimed indigenous authorities. Plans are also in place to issue a new currency and form an army. The declaration reflects frustration with the autonomy process begun in 1987 which granted indigenous groups - Miskitos, Mayangnas and Afro-Nicaraguans - control over their natural resources and government. The government argues that the Council's declaration has little support from other indigenous groups. The Mayangnas, for instance, issued their own declaration for a new “nation", without advocating secession.

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