Effects of the Biafran war.
It
divided African countries into those that supported Biafra (e.g
Tanzania, Ivory coast, Zambia and Gabon) against those that didn't for example Egypt.
It led to the emergence of new politicians in Nigeria e.g Gowon
reshuffled the army and appointed Olusegun Obasanjo to be the commander
against Biafra.
It ushered in Neo co-colonialism in Nigeria whereby Britain started providing funds for reconstruction.
It helped to ease the tension between the Eastern and Western block for some time.
It led to reconciliation attempts e.g Peace talks were held in Kampala
(Uganda) in May 1968 in an attempt to solve the Biafran crisis.
It cemented unity amongst the various tribes of Nigeria who joined hands against Biafra.
It ushered in the unity of the army in Nigeria's politics.
Thousands of Nigerians on both sides were killed in the war. But the heaviest losses were in the Ibo civilian population, mainly from famine, with deaths running into hundreds of thousands.
Thousands of Nigerians on both sides were killed in the war. But the heaviest losses were in the Ibo civilian population, mainly from famine, with deaths running into hundreds of thousands.
The state of Biafra was defeated by the federal government headed by
General Gowon. Ojukwu fled to Ivory Coast and Biafra was stopped from
seceding. Nigeria was united and Gowon successfully defended the
territorial integrity and independence of the country.
It resulted in a refugee problem. The relentless federal government
bombardment of Eastern Nigeria displaced people. Several Ibos fled to
neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Benin.
The United Nations Organisation through the UNHCR intervened to assist
the refugee. ,. .
Economic and social infrastructure was destroyed. Roads, hospitals,
schools, industries and farms were systematically destroyed by the
fighting.
The war weakened the economy of Nigeria. It paralysed economic
activities, especially agriculture, industry and oil drilling. The
federal government spent large sums of money on weapons and the
military. This cheated the key sectors of the economy of resources
needed for development.
The war divided African states and denied the African continent the
dream of complete unity. Countries such as Ivory Coast, Zambia,
Tanzania and Gabon supported Biafra, while others such as Ghana and
Egypt supported the federal government. This exposed the failure of
Africans to adopt a common position on problems facing their continent.
The war led to the intervention of the military in the politics of
Nigeria. The military justified its interference with Nigerian politics
by arguing that no civilian leader could unite the country and avoid
tribal conflict. In 1975, General Gowon was replaced by Brigadier
Murtala Muhammad through a military coup. Since then, Nigeria has been
led by the military.
The war led to widespread unemployment. The war brought economic
activities to a standstill, creating an army of unemployed people.
Agriculture, industry and foreign investment declined. Unemployment
increased, crime and decline in social morals and values.
The war left behind tribal and regional hatred. The military defeat of
Biafra in 1970 did not mark an end to tribal conflict. In fact, the war
increased tribal and regional tension and hatred which took time to
heal.
Famine and hunger set in, leading to starvation, malnutrition and
death. Food production drastically fell and it is estimated that
millions of people died of starvation.
The war witnessed the intervention of the Organisation of African
Unity. The OAU intervened to mediate and broker a peace deal between
Biafra and the federal government. *
The war ushered in neo-colonial tendencies in Nigeria. Britain and
other western countries exploited the civil war to interfere with the
internal affairs of Nigeria. The aid they gave for reconstruction had
strings attached and compromised the independence of Nigeria.
After the war, Gowon made efforts to reconcile the people of Nigeria.
He visited Ibo territories in 1971 and encouraged the people of Nigeria
to forget the past and work towards unity, peace and stability.
Gowon made an attempt to rebuild the country. The Second Development
Plan of 1970 -1974 and the Third Development Plan of 1975 - 1980 put
emphasis on reconstruct-on. Thirty two billion Naira was put aside for
agriculture, industry and infrastructure development.
The war led to the emergence of new leaders in Nigeria. Olusegun
Obasanjo was appointed to command the war against Biafra. He did a good
job by defeating Biafra and emerged on the scene as one of the new
dynamic leaders in Nigeria. He later captured power through, a military
coup.
National Movements and New States in Africa