Examining the ‘Biafran Genocide’ Claim

I observed this phenomenon during my undergraduate studies in International Relations, where I faced a startling absence of African conflicts from mainstream international relations dialogues. Particularly symbolic of this exclusion was the frequent bypassing of the Nigeria-Biafra War. Having accomplished a plethora of historical firsts, observations from the Nigeria-Biafra conflict can act as important references to better understand the evolving dynamics of warfare. First, let’s consider the revolutionary role of media and technology during the Nigeria-Biafra War. In an unprecedented way, media brought into our homes the horrors of warfare and its consequences, creating, as a result, ‘the world’s first televised war’. We also observed key transformations of the roles of state and non-state actors, as the three-year conflict produced unforeseen public relations and NGO activity. It is not common knowledge that today’s Médecins Sans Frontières would never have come into being without the conflict exposing issues with aid and ‘political neutrality’. Perhaps of greatest consideration, would be the conflict’s contribution to shaping discussions on international human rights, especially norms surrounding genocide and mass killings.

Biafra’s genocide claim became embedded into its persecution narrative and sustained the conflict’s global relevance. Naturally, it remains a theme that carries significant emotional resonance for Biafran secessionists. Pro-Biafra supporters often cite sustained state and civilian violence, from 1966 until early 1970 when Biafra surrendered, as the embodiment of the Nigerian genocidal campaign. With wartime death tolls in the millions, an impassioned neo-Biafra movement has revived calls for the Nigerian federal government to be held accountable for its alleged genocidal campaign against Biafrans and the Igbo in particular. But does a genocide allegation against the Nigerian state hold much water?

According to an international observer team sent to investigate accusations of genocide, Nigeria stands falsely accused. The team, constituting international state representatives and UN officials, were invited by the Nigerian government in 1968 with British support, to oversee Nigeria’s wartime conduct. Between September 1968 and January 1970, the team inspected displaced peoples’ camps, villages captured by the Nigerian military and prisoner of war camps; eventually, it concluded that no evidence had been found demonstrating ‘any intent by the Federal troops to destroy the Igbo people or their property’. Essentially saying Biafra had no genocide claim.