Secret papers reveal Biafra intrigue


New revelations about how the war was funded




By Rick Fountain in London
Newly-released secret British papers show how the Biafran civil war which nearly destroyed the Nigerian federal state 30 years ago, turned into a triangular big-power contest between the United Kingdom, France and the Soviet Union.

About a million Biafrans starved to death because of the blockade applied by the Nigerian federal military government.

The breakaway state of Biafra was declared in May 1967, by the Ibo people of eastern Nigeria.

They were at odds with the rest of the federation and their military governor, Colonel Ojukwu, thought they could survive with revenues from the oilfields in their territory.

But the move was opposed by the federal military government and fighting broke out.

At first Biafra was successful and this alarmed Britain, the former colonial power, anxious for its big oil holdings.

It also interested the Soviet Union which saw a chance to increase its influence in West Africa.

Both sent arms to boost the federal military government, under General Yakubu Gowon.

But France, the other big former colonial power in the region, also took a hand.

Arms from Francophone neighbours

Although Paris repeatedly denied arming the Biafrans, the newly-released papers reveal intelligence reports showing that very large weapon shipments were reaching Biafra via two neighbouring Francophone states, Ivory Coast and Gabon.

The UK intelligence services warned that Soviet penetration was growing but that this did not much trouble Paris.

The British reports says the French objective "appears to be the break-up of Nigeria, which threatens, by its size and potential, to overshadow France's client Francophone states in west Africa".

But the flow of French arms diminished as the Biafrans wilted under relentless attacks and a food blockade.

In January 1970 the secession collapsed, and Colonel Ojukwu fled to Ivory Coast.
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Hahahaha,Ojukwu,what a coward !!! Ojukwu killed his people not Nigerian army. I can't imagine asking few friends to fight along with me for a particular course but ran away when the fight is turning against us. Honestly,Ojukwu is the most cowardiest(don't mind dis) sordier living on earth.

Bet me on this,if south east secedes from Nigeria today, the whole region ll remain d way it is today in d next 20years for d fact that they greedy,selfish etc

^^^^
THRUTH THRUTH THRUTH

^^^ Mr man, so all you wanted to say was that Ojukwu was a coward?

Next topic

Biafrans always lie that they lost the war becos Britain armed Nigeria. But France also armed Biafra. Biafra didn't produce any ak47 or uzzi, so how did they get them?

lagcity:

Biafrans always lie that they lost the war becos Britain armed Nigeria. But France also armed Biafra. Biafra didn't produce any ak47 or uzzi, so how did they get them?

And what did Nigeria produce then? Infact, what does Nigeria produce now? How many Russias and UKs are buying Nigerian made rockets?

All this Biafra this and that means that when you read your history books, you're like dayum, these cats had balls, but our black azzs feared the Queen Eliza, so let me HATE.

The circumstances that led to the first war are still much around with us today.

Nigeria is still not one country. We are still suspecting one another.

I can not be bold to walk ahead if an Hausa/Fulani Moslem is comming behind me. I am sorry folks, but that is the ugly truth. I know that the Hausa/Fulani must have some thing against me and my people also.

Some other tribes have so much against other tribes. We dont see our selves as Nigerians yet. We see ourselves more as Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Niger Delta, Minorities and recently Middle Belt. Why do we keep deluding ourselves?

Why cant we come together, sit down and disguss Nigeria? Or we can contnue to wait until the next war. Our generation might not be there to see it again, but hear me and hear me well.

Nigeria is not a nation.

southwark:

Secret papers reveal Biafra intrigue


New revelations about how the war was funded




By Rick Fountain in London
Newly-released secret British papers show how the Biafran civil war which nearly destroyed the Nigerian federal state 30 years ago, turned into a triangular big-power contest between the United Kingdom, France and the Soviet Union.

About a million Biafrans starved to death because of the blockade applied by the Nigerian federal military government.

The breakaway state of Biafra was declared in May 1967, by the Ibo people of eastern Nigeria.
They were at odds with the rest of the federation and their military governor, Colonel Ojukwu, thought they could survive with revenues from the oilfields in their territory.

But the move was opposed by the federal military government and fighting broke out.

At first Biafra was successful and this alarmed Britain, the former colonial power, anxious for its big oil holdings.

It also interested the Soviet Union which saw a chance to increase its influence in West Africa.

Both sent arms to boost the federal military government, under General Yakubu Gowon.

But France, the other big former colonial power in the region, also took a hand.

Arms from Francophone neighbours

Although Paris repeatedly denied arming the Biafrans, the newly-released papers reveal intelligence reports showing that very large weapon shipments were reaching Biafra via two neighbouring Francophone states, Ivory Coast and Gabon.

The UK intelligence services warned that Soviet penetration was growing but that this did not much trouble Paris.

The British reports says the French objective "appears to be the break-up of Nigeria, which threatens, by its size and potential, to overshadow France's client Francophone states in west Africa".

But the flow of French arms diminished as the Biafrans wilted under relentless attacks and a food blockade.

In January 1970 the secession collapsed, and Colonel Ojukwu fled to Ivory Coast.
Search BBC News Online



Advanced search options




BBC RADIO NEWS


BBC ONE TV NEWS


WORLD NEWS SUMMARY


BBC NEWS 24 BULLETIN

PROGRAMMES GUIDE
Africa Contents

Country profiles


See also:

11 Mar 99 | Africa
Anglo-French diplomatic drive in Africa

04 Dec 98 | UK Politics
Anglo-French military pact

23 Mar 98 | Africa
France and the US: The scramble for Africa

23 Dec 98 | French in Africa
France - superpower or sugar daddy?



Internet links:

French Foreign Ministry

UK Foreign Office


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Links to other Africa stories are at the foot of the page.




E-mail this story to a friend


Links to more Africa stories

In This SectionHuge challenge for African UnionKenya hit by malaria epidemicNew hope for Aids vaccineWinnie Mandela faces fraud trialRatsiraka moots Madagascar returnNigerian woman fights stoningOpposition attacks Ivory Coast pollAfrican Union replaces dictators' clubWinnie: From 'mother' to 'mugger'Sierra Leone TRC to begin workCarlos Alberto new Zamalek coachGeremi apologises to CameroonSelection change welcomedCAR accelerates anti-corruption driveZambia pleads for more donationsWorkers redundant at Jensen plantRebels face life without a causeCAR leader praises crash pilotBombs shatter Algerian celebrationsOromo rebels deny Ethiopian 'victory'Madagascar's chance for change



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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News Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | In Depth | AudioVideo

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Reading the post clearly informed me the original author and the poster of this essay are moronic idi.otic. Both jackasses could not get simplest fact correct talk less of complex weapon shipment.