The Nigerian-Biafran War (1968)
PDF of Study Guide: Here
Country Sign-up: Here
Introduction to the Committee
The Security Council’s primary responsibility is for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members, five permanent and ten non-permanent ones (increased from 7 in 1965). The non-permanent members get elected for a two year period by the General Assembly. As of 1968, the five permanent members are the USSR, USA, UK, France and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Each Member has one vote - the permanent members have a Veto Right. Under the Charter of the United Nations, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.
The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.
Introduction to the Topic
Historical Background
The area today constituting Nigeria has long been inhabited by many different ethnic groups. The largest three are the Hausa-Fulani, who are the Majority within the north of the country, the Yoruba, who are the majority within the southwest, and the Igbo, who are the majority in the southeast. It is also religiously divided, with the north being predominantly muslim, and the south predominantly christian. These groups have distinct cultures, languages, and social structures. This area came under British colonial rule over the course of the second half of the 19th century, and was consolidated into one colony in 1914. British rule heavily relied on exerting influence on existing hierarchies, and exacerbated divisions through “divide and rule” policies.
Nigeria gained independence on October 1st, 1960, and the first Nigerian republic was formed.. The political situation was highly influenced by aforementioned ethnic divisions, and political parties formed primarily on ethnic and regional lines. The nation also faced issues relating to economic inequality, educational problems, and labor unrest caused by poor working conditions, and widespread corruption. Divisions were further exacerbated by a highly controversial census in 1962, which assigned most of the seats in parliament to the northern region. The election of 1964 was marred by boycotts and widespread accusations of fraud.
Following another embattled election, on the 15th january 1966, a group of Igbo army officers attempted a Coup d’etat. The coup failed, but resulted in the assassination of many prominent politicians and military leaders, including the prime minister and the premier of Nigeria’s Northern Region. In the wake of the failed coup, power was initially taken by a general named Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, but in July another coup, this time a mutiny of northern soldiers, felled his government, killed him, and brought Yakubu Gowon to power.
All this conflict exacerbated tensions throughout the country, including within the military. This conflict took its most extreme form in massacres of Igbo and other southerners in the north, resulting in the deaths of many thousands, and forcing roughly one million Igbo to flee to the eastern province. Initially, the federal government and the eastern region, represented by military leader Odumegwu Ojukwu reached an agreement providing for a looser federation with greater autonomy for the regions. However, this agreement was soon reneged on by president Gowon, who declared the division of Nigeria into 12 smaller states with less power, dividing the Eastern Region into 3 regions, notably separating most of the Igbo population of the Eastern Region from the region’s considerable oil reserves.
On May 30th, 1967, the three states formerly comprising the eastern Region declared independence as the Republic of Biafra under the leadership of Ojukwu. The federal Government quickly blockaded the region, preventing all shipping from entering or exiting Biafra.
The War
In response to the declaration of independence, the Nigerian military moved rapidly to retake the territory. The initial push was repulsed, and Biafra launched an Offensive of their own. They were able to take some territory, and proclaimed the Republic of Benin in the mid-western region. However, the Nigerian government counterattacked, and was able to retake the territory, dissolving the republic of Benin after only 1 day of existence. Government forces were able to surround Biafra by land and sea, in an operation which involved multiple massacres of civilians. From there the war has settled into something of a stalemate, with neither side able to decisively defeat the other, at least for now.
Only five nations recognized Biafra as independent: Tanzania, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Zambia, and Haiti. However, both sides in the conflict relied on foreign powers for the supply of materiel. These sides are notable for how inconsistent they are with the typical pattern of cold war conflicts. The United Kingdom and the Soviet Union provided supplies to the Nigerian government, while France and the People’s Republic of China (note: not the same China as the one on the council) provided supplies to the Biafrans. This supply was motivated largely by France and the UK’s desire to gain influence over the region's oil supply, and the USSR and PRC’s rivalry for international influence.
Meanwhile, the blockade has resulted in a complete humanitarian catastrophe and famine throughout Biafra. The area was heavily dependent on imports to feed itself, and the blockade resulted in mass starvation throughout the area. This only reached its full horrible crescendo after the time at which this conference is taking place, but depending on which estimate one uses, as many as 500’000 died, including many children, as a result of starvation brought on by the blockade, not even counting military casualties, or those from other causes. This conflict was one of the first times when NGOs were brought to the forefront of providing aid, and resulted in the founding of MSF.
Problem Areas
In actual history, the United Nations Security Council never discussed the issue of Biafra, as many nations argued that the conflict was an internal matter for Nigeria, and therefore out of the Purview of the UN. However, for this topic block we shall presume that in this version of history, the matter has been put before the UNSC for their consideration.
There are several matters which the UNSC could discuss with relation to the conflict. Perhaps most immediate is the matter of the humanitarian situation, which is already very severe. A resolution may work to provide some solution to the crisis, but such action may run into resistance from the Nigerian government, who imposed their blockade with the express purpose of starving out Biafra to force their surrender.
The council may also discuss matters more related to the military aspects of the conflict. The security council is the only organ of the United Nations with the power to authorize military intervention. It may create peacekeeping forces, or call on nations to disrupt economic relations with other nations. All of these are tools that, in addition to less extreme measures such as demanding negotiation or ceasefire, may be used to resolve the conflict.
In the longer term, the council may also discuss the future of Biafra. Its recognition is, as noted before, limited to a mere handful of nations, but other nations have some degree of support for it, and the council could also discuss whether and how Biafra could become an internationally recognized state, and how further ethnic conflict within Nigeria could be averted.
Questions a Resolution Should Answer
What (if anything) can be done to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Biafra?
What (if anything) should the UN do to bring the military conflict to an end?
Under what (if any) circumstances should Biafra be recognized as independent?
What can be done to prevent further ethnic violence in the region?
Practical Advice for Research
Has your country stated a position on the conflict?
Have prominent leaders in your country offered their positions on the conflict?
Has your country offered diplomatic or materiel support to either side?
What relations does your country have with Nigeria?
What position has your country taken on similar conflicts in the past?
