Kosovo’s recent independence signals a major, somewhat revolutionary rift in the international geo-politics of self determination and the right of independence for ethnic nations. It has made the grounds for self determination clearer, and set an unassailable precedent that many groups seeking self determination are bound to profit from in the near future. It has also crucially in very clear terms vindicated the Biafran struggle then and now for a separate existence from Nigeria.

Kosovo was granted independence on the logic that hence the government and people of Serbia had carried out acts of ethnic cleansing against the Kosovo people; they automatically lost the right to co-exist in the same nation with the Kosovars. It is noteworthy that less than 10,000 people died in the actual act of ethnic cleansing, yet the international community deemed it sufficient to back Kosovo’s independence. In the case of Biafra over 30,000 ordinary civilians were massacred in cold blood by Northern leaders in 1966. Thousands continue to be killed to date in frequent premeditated acts of ethnic cleansing in Northern Nigeria. Thus, the logic for Kosovo’s independence also validates the logic for Biafra ’s independence.

In the 60’s when Biafra made its first muscular dash for self determination in the aftermath of the pogroms, the geo-politics of the world was different, which more than anything else contributed in halting the Biafran dream. But change is permanent, and as the Kosovo saga indicates, the world has evolved significantly into a greater appreciation of genocide and acts of ethnic cleansing to the extent of granting self determination on that premise. Biafrans, the Niger-Delta, Oduduwa and other separatist groups must now take advantage of these changes to unshackle themselves from Nigeria.

The logic for Nigeria ’s disintegration is indisputable. In the face of Nigeria ’s continuing progressive decline in all facets after 9 years of an unprecedented oil boom, it is ideally time every Nigerian realised that the contradictions of her very existence has made the nation unworkable. Where other less endowed nations have succeeded, the inherent contradictions have made it impossible for Nigeria to succeed. Thus in spite of overwhelming human and material resources Nigeria is trapped in monumental poverty and deprivation.


In line with the precedent set most recently in Kosovo, the repeated acts of ethnic cleansing sponsored by political and religious leaders in Northern Nigeria has already made the case for Biafra. The most important task ahead for the Igbo nation, is how to sensitive and pressure the international community into negotiating a plebiscite or referendum for an independent Igbo nation. In the aftermath of the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States , the geo-politics of the world has changed so much as to make this easier. Kosovo has also set a critical precedent in the criteria that qualifies indigenous peoples to legitimately seek independence. The Igbo nation must begin to take advantage of this new world order and opportunities to effect a final separation from Nigeria . The strategic interests of the Western world would favour a Christian nation that guarantees security and a free unfettered flow of hydro carbon.

The methods which need to be adopted have been on display in recent times in places like Tibet . The Igbo have been too passive in their struggle for emancipation from Nigeria . For a people who famously resisted the more formidable British colonialists, and began the daunting struggle for independence, signalled most notably by the famed Aba women’s riot of 1929, defeating the bunch of despots who parade as leaders of Nigeria’s Apartheid state in the final push for liberation from internal colonialism shouldn’t be a problem. What needs to be done as outlined below is easy and quite practicable.

(1)The Israeli’s have achieved most of their strategic political ends through Jewish Diaspora lobby and advocacy groups like the world Jewish council and other affiliated Jewish groups. The presence of a large Igbo Diaspora constitutes a potential, strategic international political force and pressure group which the Igbo nation is yet to exploit.

Just recently the Tibetans mobilized their Diaspora citizens in non-violent protests that put the Chinese government under massive international pressure and forced them into accepting negotiations for political autonomy with the Dalai Lama. Igbo organisations like the World Igbo congress and others should begin to forcefully assert themselves on the Issue of self determination. Advocacy groups from such organisations around the world should begin to make their case for self determination premised on the Apartheid system in Nigeria and the continuing incidents of pre-meditated ethnic cleansing in Northern Nigeria . Organisations like the European Union, the United Nations, the World Council of Churches, the Catholic Church, the American Congress, the Israeli government and parliament etc should be contacted with a detailed history of a long list of endless unpunished acts of ethnic cleansing in Nigeria . These efforts would sensitive the international community and strengthen the case for self determination.

(2) Jewish groups have the most powerful lobby in the United States of America . Igbo organisations should exploit the ancestral links with the Jews to align with them in order to benefit from their well oiled lobby machine in the quest for self determination.

(3) Civil-disobedience, mass rallies and protests should increasingly be employed in Nigeria to draw attention of the international community to the plight of the East. Considerations should be given to periodically organising a peaceful and symbolic two million man march in Enugu . Diaspora groups can also organise placard carrying sensitisation rallies in front of the American congress, the European Union assembly etc. Visiting Nigerian government officials, attending functions can also be targeted by rallies and protests.

(4) The joint assemblies of the East can meet and surrender their Sovereignty to the British or Americans for 25 years at the minimum. This negotiated arrangement would be similar to the type the British had in Hong Kong were they administered the region for an agreed number of years. This option would grant us accelerated developments and a better standard of living. Some would call this a return to colonialism, but experience has shown that colonialism has proven to be much better than the penury and chaos in post-colonial Nigeria. Hong Kong is one of the best organized cities courtesy of a negotiated British administration.

(5) Guerrilla conflict though undesirable could become a last resort in the struggle for self determination. Nigeria has long been approaching this “bloody road to Baghdad ” by the refusal of her leaders to allow self determination and or equitably restructure the nation to allow ethnic groups develop at their own pace. As the saying goes, “those who refuse peaceful change will inevitably invite violent change.” A little bit of this scenario is already playing out in the Niger-Delta. The very nature of guerrilla conflicts makes it un-winnable. The large and strategic Igbo Diaspora can significantly fund and sustain such a conflict through a “consolidated Igbo Diaspora fund” to be opened for that purpose. While we wish and hope to avoid conflict, it will certainly become an option for hardened extremist elements as the Apartheid Nigerian regime endures and as issues remain unresolved.

In conclusion, we must remember that no price is too much to pay for freedom. Those who are martyred in their struggle for freedom would meet with God in paradise. There is no greater virtue of good and righteousness than to give your life so that others can be free. After the struggle for independence from the colonial masters, the most important struggle of our generation is the struggle for independence from internal colonialism. No man or group has the right to decide the destiny of another ethnic nation. The choice between freedom and slavery is a clear choice. A nation in which you can be killed in the North for a cartoon published in Denmark is definitely not your nation. A nation in which the rulers are purveyors of hatred and division is not your nation. A nation in which the rulers arrest your political and economic development is not your nation. We must reject such a nation and march on to freedom. Those who have ears let them hear.

the strategy is very likely to work but brother, what's d motive?? how do u inend to gain momentum wt the "Biafrans" , "Oduduwans", and "arewans" who are comfortable with the present situation??

is this disintegration really expedient?

@vikiviko,

whatever you plan to do;

make 'Biafra' the interest of UK, US, Russia, China and your Biafra is good as done.

back to reality; if it is not in the interest of US, UK, your Biafra will remain dead or will wait like Palestine Nation.

US/UK already got 'bakassi' which is enough for their interest.

@landis

Its just an article.
I am not an Igbo man.

l really sympathise with the Ibo's, they got a raw deal. there is a conspiracy between the Yoruba's and the Hausa to rotate power between them and deny Ibo's their share of the national cake. despite all the obstacle place ahead of him, the average Ibo man is better of than the average Yoruba man, ten times better of than the average Hausa man; who is wallowing in poverty.

demand for biafra is legitimate, the problem is; its the wrong time. Were all in this ship called Nigeria together. nobody is allowed to disembark until we get to the destination: the destination is "THE END OF OIL". the Nigeria nation will only disintergrate when the oil finish. the essence of the Nigerian army is to ensure the safe passage of the ship to it destination. if anybody try to jump ship, he will drown. that is what is going to happen to some of those massob members.

there have been several research conducted on the fate of Nigeria after oil; all came to the same conclusion: Nigeria will disintegrate after oil. that is the reason why the political class ( most dont have oil in there region) are ruthlessly bleeding the nation to death to the tune of N240 million every single day.