NIGERIA | Why Was Biafra So Important?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

The Biafran War is now largely forgotten. However, it had a huge impact on international relations. I'd be interested to known how many viewers had heard of it before? And, if you are from Nigeria (or Biafra) what do people think about the conflict today?

[@marxikongbeh757]

Thanks James for putting a spotlight on this conflict. I am a Nigerian and I come from a part of Nigeria that sits right at the border of the then Biafran Republic. I wasn't born then, but I grew up recognizing the marks of that war and how it continues to shape Nigerian politics and life till date. There has been 2 recent attempts to resuscitate Biafra, notably around 2002-2006 by a group called Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and more recently by another group called Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and many other less conspicuous groups which continue to agitate for this cause. In Nigeria, the marks of the Biafran conflict remain very fresh, it's a present daily reality and it shows up in ethnic sentiments, prejudices and distrust that simmers close underneath. Nigeria is largely an unseemly experiment of unity in diversity, it has not exactly worked but it has also not exactly failed either. Sadly, the country remains bogged down by diversity which should be an asset but tends towards being a liability and the Biafran war remains a stark warning and a reminder that has largely kept tensions from boiling over. We continue to hope and pray that we don't have another Biafran-type war! The country would likely not survive it and the humanitarian catastrophe will be unmanageable. Thanks once more James and keep up the good work.

[@ashrafuluzzal9058]

I didn’t hear before.

[@Michael-rn5kv]

Hello James,I was not born during the Biafran war,but my maternal grandfather an engineer with Nigerian Railroad was murdered during the riot against the Igbos in northern Nigeria. Nowadays,the fulani headers are killing and kidnapping people in the south killing Christians,and taking over their villages.I will advice you to do investigative journalism.

[@rickycoker5830]

I remember the Biafran War. I was a 12 year old from USA and remember the starving kids televised nightly on the news. Was heartbreaking and I could not understand how the world could let this happen. The innocence of youth I guess.

[@victoreloka6394]

Thanks and God bless you

[@paschaluzoma1429]

Nigeria 🇳🇬 is obviously divided..thank you for that statement.let the truth be heard 👂

[@felixsunnymaduba9044]

This Man is saying the truth nothing but the truth. British brought three countries together for their self interest. That is what we are suffering today, leaving with certain group that are never have anything common

[@veritas2048]

The British brought 371 different ethnic groups together. Much more than three countries, in the southwest that most think is heterogenous there are Egun, Awori and Yoruba. The South South is shockingly heterogeneous, the middle-belt has the most nations with Kaduna having almost 80 nations within. I wonder why you would say three countries 🤔.

[@fataiadegbenro984]

Nigeria is not the only country with such peculiar problem our problem is our inability to channel our intellectual curiosity to solve the major problem we have. What is Biafra? It's a metaphor for good governance and fair and just society unfortunately we missed the opportunity

[@alphaomarbarry3877]

The British did that so that we can be United and stop tribalism

[@fataiadegbenro984]

@@alphaomarbarry3877 even the late Ojukwu said the same thing, there should be no need for BIAFRA again in nigeria

[@alphaomarbarry3877]

@@fataiadegbenro984 Yes tribalism is not good for us

[@onemajorjay]

A biafran just subscribed 😭 freedom is not free.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much. I really was a horrific conflict. So tragic.

[@emekaumeano9672]

Why would you, because he's white? He hates you you know?

[@tholendlovu1700]

@@emekaumeano9672you must really hate this, to even make it about colour which it isn't. It happened and nothing is going to change it. All we can do is learn from this and become better people for our future generations. It's happened to a number of countries if you must know so you're not the exception

[@tochika3598]

Britian is the chief sponsored ! They created d mess we are in today !

[@apostleezenwa2087]

God bless you James 🙌 we biafrans need to be existing

[@childofgod1423]

If the one Nigeria you support is soo good, why are you still living in the USA in your old age. Mad people everywhere.

[@damianeze7292]

@@kevo7ful You said Ojukwu rejected the Aburi Agreement? This is unbelievable. Listen to yourself! What was in Aburi Accord? Regions manage your resources which till date, the Nigeria federal government has rejected. Today, it’s called restructuring. I’m highly disappointed in you, sir. I don’t know were you got your fake narrative, but we are now more exposed to acknowledge the truth. Hiding in a foreign land developed through the blood and sweat of others doesn’t make you a smart and intelligent man. Your people are continuously maimed and killed in Nigeria and you are so comfortable with it? Shame to you, sir.

[@kevo7ful]

@@damianeze7292 Rejected? Who said Ojukwu “rejected”? Please read again. I know you understand English but evidently, it seems English comprehension is the issue misconstruing what you thought it connotes. Again, I never said what you claimed. In a nutshell, let me swiftly reiterate in other words if that would help. I said Gowon & Ojukwu both agreed and signed the Aburi peace accord to embrace peace to avert not to go to war. If you watch the old archive black & white video clip, you can tell Gowon wholeheartedly embraced the accord and was full of smiles while Ojukwu seemed to be faking his smile to make it look like he truly believe in what he had signed, only for him Ojukwu to go back home to Nigeria and did the complete opposite of what he signed by taking the entire gullible Ibo tribe to war. Dude, I don’t see tribe when I interact with people. I will not see a spade and call it a shovel. Ojukwu cannot sign a peace agreement with Gowon and go back home and do the complete opposite. Believe me or not, Ojukwu was the problem. You have a right to your own opinion but not to the fact. Religious and ethnic affiliation is the reason why we refuse to move forward in Nigeria. I cannot see black and call it white. That is not my credo and never will be. Eze, I appreciate your feedback though. Have a nice day.

[@christiannwodo6647]

@@kevo7ful You are a Fulani bandit.Your lies are from pit of hell.Am not surprised at your lies after you are a saboteur and morally bankrupt. Shame on you coward

[@henryokoye1014]

@@kevo7ful Do you really think changing your moniker changed anything. Your lies and revisionist history go counter culture to what is widely known about the Aburi Accord. Why don't you use your real name? Did you forget the part where after the accord was signed according to many accounts, Gowon received a call from the British High Commission advising him not to accept the Accord and if he already did, not to abide by it? And what did Gowon do when he got back to Nigeria? He promptly reneged on the accord and in order to save face started to claim that there was no accord because Ojukwu was mistaken to believe there was one. Gowon followed it up with creating 12 states with old Eastern Nigeria for which Biafra represents was carved up to weaken the new republic. That was why the coalition of Elders and the Top Military brass of Easter Nigeria instructed Ojukwu to declare Biafra as an independent republic at their meeting held in Enugu, which he did. You really need to go back and check your history because it is very clear you are mistaken, if not clueless about it, unless of course, it's intentional like many weasels in Nigeria are known to do. Better yet, did you even listen to the presentation here? That makes you an intentional bold face liar.

[@cryptofxalgorithms]

Nice one James . You and I as well as the world shall witness the final liberation of the land of Biafra!

[@musical_lolu4811]

Harry Potter line lol.

[@Monaug5kid]

That will never happen.

[@aduduodudu7893]

@@Monaug5kid until it spills over to your your doorstep

[@cryptofxalgorithms]

@@Monaug5kid even the devil that can stop Great Biafra from coming has not been born!

[@Monaug5kid]

@@cryptofxalgorithms Even if Biafra was given autonomy. The same devils will exist in the government structures would steal from the people. It's the people we put in power that don't care for the people that are the issue

[@chykeonline]

Hello James, I am a biafran and I would like to explain and break down sequentially the order of events to clarify the reasons. If you have an email, I can break it down for you with verifiable facts. Firstly, it is important to understand the profile/ideology of the 3 major tribes , the Igbo (East)predominantly christians, Yoruba(West) mix christians and muslims. the Hausa (North)mix of christians and muslims. There is another tribe called the Fulani also in the North who are 100% Muslim and mostly Nomads with a conquest mentality. The Fulani migrated and settled in the Northern part of Nigeria fought the Hausas and ruled over the North so most of the leaders in the North were Fulani not Hausa. This background is very important so you will understand what lead upto the war. Each regions were federations just as you mentioned, each region managing their resources. Before the independence in 1960, there was also the effect of the British wanting to rule by proxy through the Fulani( easy access to their oil and raw materials) . The Fulani were easier to control by the British as they were not as educated as the Igbos or Yorubas. They were Nomads but they ruled Northern Nigeria. So during the election of 1960, the Northern Premier Sir Tafawa Balewa who is Fulani emerged as Prime minister he had the real power. I would like to give you references and an in depth explanation with timelines

[@tonybrown6261]

Please give him him, he doesn’t understand the present political dynamics. Nigeria is going to break up soon

[@fataiadegbenro984]

How many state does the fulanis have in nigeria today?

[@sassyears9573]

@Diala Uka👉🏾Greetings. If you have any published writings on this, please let me know where they can be found. Thank you for the information you’ve provided.

[@fataiadegbenro984]

The point every BIAFRA is making is the perceived marginalization in NIGERIA unfortunately many disagree with that rather to me the ibo inability to dominate the other tribes is their major problem, they're used to such unfortunately it's not going to be like that any longer more so may be you the ibo need to understand one fact now...WE ALL COLLECTIVELY MESSED UP NIGERIA TOGETHER AND YOU AIN'T GOING NO WHERE UNTIL WE FIX THE MESS THEN WE CAN DECIDE AFTER THAT BUT FOR NOW BIKO WE ARE IN IT TOGETHER EMBRACE IT AND MOVE ON...ONE 9JA

[@annefranciselizabeth3840]

@@fataiadegbenro984 Many Yoruba are comfortable with being a failure provided the Igbo also fail. Pathetic.

[@sharpie8743]

I had never ever heard about this war until reading There Was a Country by Chinua Achebe. To know that it was happening at the same time as Vietnam and I was never taught about it baffles me. Thanks for this!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. I’m glad you found it useful. It’s incredible to think how little known it is now. At the time it was a significant political issue in many countries.

[@nnajidaveed9896]

Good observation, well chinua achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Cyprian Ekwensi, Gabriel okara, chukwuemeka Ike, as well as a host of other prolific writer are IGBOS (BIAFRANS). The BiAFRAN war was actually a GENOCIDE, the millions of death was due to BLOCKADES and STARVATION POLICIES used by the Nigerian forces, supervised and aided and supported by the BRITISH and RUSSIAN millitary support. BIAFRANS are also known as the "JAPAN OF AFRICA" die to their ingenuity at development and building engineering, coupled with their OIL the brits and russian considered them a great threat to their interest. They are also notorious as the most proud and stubborn black people ever, their slaves are renowned to have committed suicide severally during slavery. Elouda Eqaino (sth like that) a corner slave writer is from this tribe as well an IGBO man. Another misinformation was that the biafrans were millitarily supported Infact Biafrans built almost all that they used to sustain the war for over three years by themselves they even invented s famous explosive device called "OGBUNIGWE" which is famously mention in CHINUA ACHEBE'S "THERE WAS A COUNTRY" The french was actually one of the only countries that supported BiAFRA with small arms and not publicly as well but through the cameroons. The BIAFRANs who are known as the most educated, christian, very industrious and highly competitive had attracted hate for themselves in Nigerian mostly ISLAMiC tribes who had shied away from Education. That's was the motivation behind all the POGROMS and GENOCIDE committed against them which is justified and celebrated in Nigeria till date. Till date the IGBOS have as their lot. MARGINALIZATION, DISCRIMINATION, ETHNIC CLEANSING and MASSACRES. They are not allowed to be part of the power sharing in the country and have never held the presidency since 1999 even as the third largest tribe and most influential tribe in the country. Certian policies like the INDIGENIZATION POLICIES, 20POUDS saw the IGBOS, deliberate massacred economically. There's so much history there you can read up I am tired. IGBOS are often called the JEWS of Africa, because of the similarities in their Nationhood and culture.

[@Angeldababes]

Hi James. I so appreciate the fact that you are dedicated to this topics between countries I'm a Biafran based in the USA and this is the first time I'm commenting on your page. I liked your calm analysis and so i SUSBSCRIBED. We the indegenous people of Biafra just had a 99.9% success rate lock down on May 30th 2021, in remembrance of our fallen heroes & heroines. You can see we are more determined than ever to restore Biafra., and oh the current president of Nigeria just banned the use of Twitter in Nigeria for the deletion of his tweet that he made threatening us Biafrans that he will speak to us in the language we understand, referring to the 30 months civil war of 1967-1970. Well all I can say it's very hot in the SOUTH EAST Biafra now as the Fulani Herders are massacaring our people, though they are doing it all over the country without being held accountable for six years now as well as being protected by the millitary and police. Also some Boko-haram terrorists was incorporated into the Nigerian millitary as REPENTED terrorists, now they are in my zone, maiming, raping, pillaging killing in my region. It's all over the internet. Just bringing you up to speed. Again thank you for your narratives, they are worth listening to. Cheers👍🏽

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much for the message and the really useful update. I really do plan to come back to the situation in Biafra. It is really not looking good.

[@Angeldababes]

@@JamesKerLindsay Wow that will be great looking forward to your new update. No things are very bad and Nigeria has been officially classified a failed state yet once more Nigerian Attorney General released a statement to arrest & prosecute anyone using Twitter. We are entering China & North Korea leadership style. Lovely weekend to you

[@mohammedzakari5561]

Oil, Oil, Oil

[@shemrannibras7059]

Alenora, if u were to tell James the truth. Fulani aren't not killing Biafrans in the South East. Rather the reverse is the case ! It baffles me when u made that statement . What ethnic groups are the majority in South East pls ? Is it not the Igbos especially IPOB members killing most northerners in the south East ? It's surprising how the perpetrators are claiming to be the victims.

[@Angeldababes]

@@shemrannibras7059 Oh my, Buhari propagandist spotted. BBC Africa for the 1st time did terrorist investigative journalism just only for ZAMFARA state and they they are already being threatened with sanctions and the Nigerian local media house that aired them has already been fined with N20M (Naira 20 million) sanctions. You talk about who is not telling the truth🙄 The problem is not just your lying and stealing form indigenous tribes, but the temerity, remorselessness, animosity, pride and aggression your people unleash on other people used to baffle me untill I read a lot about Fulani and the document written by Lord Luggard addressing Fulani tribe from 1959 until 1902. The submitted and accepted documentary to the King of England and UK parliament was in 1903. That was a decade earlier before the Northern and southern protectorate was even amalgamated in 1914, (Britain did us very wrong there) After reading those documents that was when I said ooohhh, it's in their nature to distrupt and pillage other tribes without bringing a single thing to table except death. You are a proper representative of that. Put a picture first when you address people with profile pictures on. Truth speakers don't hide their faces.

[@jesseyworldchukwu9127]

James your reportage has not gone unnoticed, thank you very much. Our region and people have so much need of kind people like you, to help sale our narratives to the world. God bless you reachly

[@Roddykris]

God bless him for what?. May God punish him. Why will he say Biafra has been forgotten. Mad people everywhere. This fellow is lying like the British do. They seems to help you but deceiver to the core.

[@elemo4335]

Thanks James . The biafra was has not been forgotten. We are coming back again. Very soon.all the same thank you

[@streetlandlordtv2658]

Biafra is never forgotten we are still fighting and dieing 💪💪💪

[@Marymodestus]

I am a biafra and we are working very hard to achieve our independent

[@rogerdarthwell5393]

Finally a good explanation on what the war in Biafra was! Thank you James!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much Roger. It is amazing how it has been so widely forgotten by history.

[@Reyex7]

It's not been forgotten, it's being expunged from history, like renaming the bight of Biafra to the bight of Bonny However good job, u did well and I believe you did your best. Biafrans won't like your narrative considering that you didn't talk about why Biafra declared independence. It's like talking about the American Civil war without mentioning why. It makes the entire saga seem trivial

[@rogerdarthwell5393]

@@JamesKerLindsay No worries Sir!

[@veritas2048]

@@Reyex7 Shut up and create your own video

[@ogouche3376]

@@veritas2048 there is two facts with truth- truth is bitter and cannot be buried. You are a very angry person. You hate the name Biafran and most especially the Igbos. The blood of the Biafran shed by the so called Nigeria will never be forgotten. Dalu

[@rhodaanasoh6836]

The cause of Biagra/Nigeria war is the disagreement of the Aburi accord which Gowone was decived by the Britan .

[@AngelGabriel-yh5pk]

A war that was fought against a small group by literally world powers, British , Russian and Egypt

[@NaturesLifeLessons]

In Biafra we stand. #Biafra is our true identity. Our unity lies in Biafra. #SupportBiafraRestoration

[@ugoorji5740]

Please James The Igbos have suffered so long help us push the gospel of liberation

[@sojiadamo5212]

The Igbos, great...what about the other so called Biafrans???

[@oliviaokpara8877]

@@gingerale7729 ok and.....

[@alphaomarbarry3877]

I'm a Fulani too bro we are all one bloods family

[@ugoorji5740]

@@alphaomarbarry3877 God bless you for not being a violent person

[@ugoorji5740]

@@gingerale7729 Biafrans are not only Igbos but the Igbos are more hated for no just course

[@godisgood1452]

I'm Biafran and the best for us is to split, God gave us Biafra, may God bless us biafrans, God will give us our land soon🤲🏾🌟

[@JamesKerLindsay]

What are feelings there now days? How many people still support independence?

[@godisgood1452]

@@JamesKerLindsay 99% of Igbos want Biafra is the best for us, beacuse that's what we need

[@veritas2048]

@@JamesKerLindsay The Yoruba wish to have their own nation, The Ibo people wish for biafra, however the minorities of the old east do bot want a country with the ibos. They have aligned with the peoples of the old midwest, this has given the ibo the opportunity to have an ethnically homogenous Biafra. So chances are the south of nigeria will split into three.

[@SportFact88]

@@veritas2048 stop contradicting yourself no one is a minority in he's homeland, you have to agitate for you freedom if you are Midwestern and you have to come together with other southerners who are agitating for freedom.

[@veritas2048]

@@SportFact88 Oh really? So why did the ibo invade the midwest, occupy the region and appoint an ibo as administrator? If the ibo were simply heading to lagos, why did a column move northwards to Etsako land and occupy it? Think about it

[@ifeanyibxt]

As A biafran There would be no peace in Nigeria until Biafra get it's Freedom.... Thanks To our great leader MNK..

[@veritas2048]

How do you intend on achieving that nonsense? Y

[@letsjustdoitdoit8614]

@@veritas2048 what nonsense are you talking about?

[@veritas2048]

@@letsjustdoitdoit8614 As always you people lie, distort facts, attempt to deceive and never accept your wrongs. This lack of character is the reason why you are distrusted. Did or did you not occupy the Midwest? If You did how the hell can you dishonest people attempt to moralise? But then again you and Morals can’t really be mentioned in the same sentence. Did you not murder minority tribes? Didn’t you attempt to cleanse the Bakana and Abonema Ijaws. You evicted them and then tried to replace them with hinterland Ibos. I know you will deny it. www.dawodu.com/midwest.htm

[@tonybrown6261]

@@veritas2048 Fulani jihadist will really love you more. You ain’t seen nothing yet. Fulani will lay all you down and give it to you from your back side. You will come crying to become part of Biafra, mr Midwest. Remember Midwest is not a tribe. Fulani will come in and conquer all of your. Will poison one tribe against the other. Mr Midwest u don’t even have control of your God given wealth. Shame

[@smileprince.i7376]

@@tonybrown6261 please tell him more and more

[@sylvan186]

I've been waiting to hear your views on Biafra 👍👍👍

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I hope I didn’t disappoint. It really should be better remembered internationally. It was such an important and yet tragic conflict.

[@sylvan186]

@@JamesKerLindsay not at all, you didn't. I think it's not given airtime because of the scandalous humanitarian record and the part played by the UK in the war.

[@frank099100]

If you listen well he mentioned Brits and USSR motive behind the support Of Nigeria’s unity as well as forgotten catastrophic humanitarian crises

[@sylvan186]

Yes indeed, his was an objective coverage. I was referring to the general media and thought leaders.

[@lvoldum]

Thank you for this one, James. I remeber the Biafra famine with NGOs collecting 'Biafra Help', but I never previously learned how that famine came about. I learn so much from your excellent videos!

[@awarranetworktv499]

A blockade to starve Biafrans to submission. Millions of children died of starvation.

[@awarranetworktv499]

Thank you, James! We appreciate this.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. It has always surprised me how few people know about this truly tragic and destructive conflict.

[@oceejekwam6829]

@@JamesKerLindsay because there are many instances of people in various parts of the world fighting to separate themselves from other nations. It's hard to keep up and the number continues to grow. For example how many people have heard of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea? That is an unresolved conflict, there's Kurdistan and Baluchistan in the Middle East and Pakistan respectively, the list goes on and on...

[@dennis2902]

@@JamesKerLindsay the world decided to play it down. Biafra hadn’t much support..

[@Roddykris]

Appreciate what? Foolish people. You appreciate lies. From demons.

[@putler965]

@@Roddykris what lies?

[@ugoyah1309]

I'm proud to a Biafran We need freedom

[@anosikeemeka9713]

Nigeria can never be one.. we're not the same people...

[@missme419]

That's like saying Africa would never be one, cause we aren't the same people, or the world can never be one cause we aren't the same people. That mentality is old school

[@retruthdecliesny4435]

In this global times you're thinking if being one before you develop yourself, must you

[@hopesignal240]

@@missme419 Africa can never be one too..If it’s one I won’t need visa to travel amongst each other

[@Roddykris]

That is true. Nigeria can never be one. Nigeria is a fraud. Biafra must be free from this devil colonists called Britain with their devilish contraption called Nigeria.

[@uchepuche8391]

@@missme419 yes we are african as continent but not judiciary one as a country.

[@pwizzle4564]

An excellent breakdown of the biafran civil war. I think the igbos have evert right to be angry.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much indeed. It would be interesting to get a sense of his people view it today. It has now been 50 years. For most young people it is now a war that involved their grandparents, rather than their parents.

[@TochukwuOkafor]

@@JamesKerLindsay The war may have ended, but the bitterness still remains. there is even a regurgence of succession. You can google Nnamdi Kanu

[@angelicakweku5293]

The war never really ended!!!

[@lawalhakeem6734]

@@JamesKerLindsay finally most of the divide is also money factor ....

[@toade1583]

@@TochukwuOkafor Nnamdi Kanu is exactly like Ojukwu, a opportunist, running against an Igbo just like Ojukwu because they want power, not anything else.

[@ossychibunna7285]

As a biafran we will keep fighting for our freedom Nigeria is now a Zoo

[@jollypippa3632]

What makes you think that if Biafra was achieved, would Biafra not eventually become another zoo? Who are those behind turning Nigeria into your so-called zoo? Are Biafrans themselves not involved in the process? I tell you what, Nigeria can be great once again when all Biafrans, Oduduwas, etc unite and fight our common enemies who are much less in number than the rest of us with a common purpose. Our diversity as a nation should be our strength and not our weakness. Together, YES, Nigeria can definitely be great again.

[@rachelsta7720]

@@jollypippa3632 it would have been far more better than nigeria today and that's why nigeria has made sure using politics to divide us. So SHUT up

[@jollypippa3632]

@@rachelsta7720 Oh ye of little reasoning faculty! Don't you think it would have been better if you had told your biafran brothers and sisters looting Nigeria and their respective Igbo states dry to shut up? What an abusively misdirected language!

[@rachelsta7720]

@@jollypippa3632 you are misinformed, there's no doubt about it. If you want to learn about what'd going on in nigeria especially to igbos come down here and hear from the horses mouth I thought that's how you guy's get information and not this person said

[@rachelsta7720]

@@jollypippa3632 and that is if you intend to lend a helping hand by telling the world what actually transpired

[@soldieroffortune314]

Thanks for explaining this conflict btw your videos so effective for my International Relations lessons thanks Professor 😊

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much for the kind words and for letting me know that they help! It always means a lot to me when I get comments like this. Have a great weekend! 🙂

[@kingsmancmbamara]

Thanks I’m a Biafran and it will surely be restored it can only take time We’re resolute Thank you for this I subscribed

[@peacefulworld1717]

Thank you James for another great piece. The Biafran issue is in a way similar to the Western Togoland issue. The two lands were forced into becoming a national of another entity entirely against their will. You remember the plebiscites war in Western Togoland? Is just the same, indigenous people of the land refused to be United or added to another entity this two land had long standing ethnic conflicts before the coming of European to the shores of Africa, the best they could do was to force to create a nation for them especially against their will. In the case of Western Togoland the land was TOGOLAND or TORGO (which got a native meaning or interpretation) France and Brittain in a way of aggression against Germany devide the land among themselves but since the League of Nations and UN didn't approved the best was to either unite it or grant them separate independence, now by adding the West to Gold Coast Britain and UN have gone against their own laws! UN must take serious retrospection into all this especially Britain dictates formation of a country. The many human rights abuses are too much! Killings, abduction Force exiling of people force disappearing everywhere. This is not right. As we speak Ghana is still in secret abduction of Western Togoland people!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. Yes, there are some interesting similarities that one sees on many of these cases. Countries made up of diverse groups that were forced together under colonialism. However, as I noted, most African countries sided with Nigeria. I guess their view was that they might not like their borders, but they’d probably like new ones even less!

[@peacefulworld1717]

@@JamesKerLindsay that's okay but looking at turn out of events, since the day of Independence and the forced Unions UN the supervising authority should revise and see if actually there are issues, so that this untimely deaths be stopped! No Government got the right especially in African States to force any group of people from trying to break away based on historical accounts. UN must not allow this on the platter of state sovereignty, all the countries that were formed through colonialism CAN'T BOAST OF STATE SOVEREIGNTY.

[@nhauj]

@@JamesKerLindsay There is no consensus amongst the people for the existence of many African countries, yet they're forced to remain in them. This is basically enslavement on a macro level. The independence movements in the 60's were a farce. Real independence would look like referendums amongst ethnic groups.

[@sonofnok2153]

As a proud BIAFRAN, I strongly stand with the peoples of Western Togoland, and all Africans who are fighting for their independence and sovereignty.

[@nova7208]

@@sonofnok2153 there's nothing like biafra.

[@user-jf4vt6nb4m]

I must have done something right for KZbin to finally suggest a good channel to me on its own! Thank you James. I hope my people can realize that this has mostly been a war of the political class materialized through the masses who have little to no gain in the end.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. Always nice to know when the famous KZbin algorithm gets it right! 🙂

[@chukwuebukalawrence6954]

Thank you James. We need to voice our afflictions within the Nigeria state. Nigeria is a country of nations amalgamated by Britain basically for economic exploitation. Moreover, over 3.5 to 5 million people died but they tried to change the narrative and reduce the number. Hope you link up IPOB leadership under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Thanks, keep shinning the light for we will raise to fall no more.

[@ikechukwualita521]

"...Their economic reason!" That's the truth!!! James you are indeed a custodian of the peoples history. Keep revealing the truth to the world.... Soon those who claim nonchallancy to the outcry of modernized slavery of biafrans in Nigeria will hear and act. I'm proudly Biafran #BiafraFreedomNearerNowThanEver

[@fataiadegbenro984]

It's an unfortunate war, a war that never should have happened but for one man ego and arrogant and inability to see the benefits of dialogue.

[@azisandwich]

20th century African wars are the most intriguing

[@azukamba4127]

Igbos has paid a highest price till date. We need referendum.we Biafrans need our freedom

[@oghenekomeologho-whiskey2105]

I tire for igbos o we want for them they stop oppesing other ethnic groups in the civil war my ethnic group ijaw war draged into the stupid confilt my grandfather died and the ijaws are not Igbo neither Calabar people but they draged us to join the Biafra despite we are not igbos the Igbo oppesion is real

[@azukamba4127]

@@oghenekomeologho-whiskey2105 you don't know anything about History. research ask critical questions keep emotion aside and understand what is going on in that country called Nigeria. You failed to tell yourself the truth if igbos are your problems. You lack the wisdom. What is really disturbing you is envy and jealousy. Keep supporting 1 Nigeria you will live to regret

[@oghenekomeologho-whiskey2105]

@@azukamba4127 bro igbos should stop behaving like their the only ones who lost people during the war is hard time everyone move on

[@azukamba4127]

@@oghenekomeologho-whiskey2105 move on how? I need explanation what you meant by move on. Convince me pls.So you want to telling me that you're having fun with the situation now in that country you believe in?

[@azukamba4127]

@@oghenekomeologho-whiskey2105 I'm more than open to learn something new from you with superior arguments. Simple correct me if I'm wrong

[@princeaniko4166]

Hello James we the Biafrans 🇱🇾 love this work you're doing for us please James help us preach this Truth to the world next video please 🙏

[@realchange7831]

Thanks James. God will bless you for being a voice to the voiceless...

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. It was such a tragic conflict. Please do share the video with anyone you think might find it useful.

[@clintonsolomon1226]

James it was never forgotten, just that the don't teach history in Nigeria but most igbo origin of the South East Nigeria still carry a lot of it on mind due to the injustice always affecting the region, and biafra always remain in their mind🇳🇬

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I didn't mean to suggest that it had been forgotten by those most affected. But sadly it has been forgotten internationally. It was such a tragic and devastating war - and it had really significant international effects - and yet hardly any of my students have ever heard of it.

[@ifecojahs8151]

There is nothing like Hausa Fulani, there is Hausa, there is Fulani. They are not the same.

[@oliviaokpara8877]

hes obviously talking about both

[@FReePeacefulEurope]

news flash, the fulani's has fully conquered the hausa, the fulani's are the overlords of hausa, when was the last time you heard of a hausa Nigerian president.

[@alphaomarbarry3877]

I'm a Fulani from guinea Conakry Hausa yoruba fulanis mandinkas Igbo ect we are all the same

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I am very aware that they are - or were - formally two groups. But it is obviously a little more complex than that. Given the high degree of intermixing, very often they are amalgamated for descriptive purposes. (I actually did my studies at SOAS. Hausa was taught there.)

[@ikechukwuchibuzornjoku6157]

@@JamesKerLindsay it's jst a tactics to suppress other ethnicities in the country.They use the term Hausafulani to gain dominance.

[@killerpotato5445]

Great video I have been subscribed to you for a year now your content is always great

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much! And always brilliant to hear from early subscribers. :-) I’m really glad you like the videos. Do let me know if there are any topics you’d like to see me cover. In the meantime, I hope all else is well with you.

[@killerpotato5445]

@@JamesKerLindsay Thank you. I often comment on your videos. I would like if you could cover expansion of UNSC,BRICS and other international organizations in the future if you feel so

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Always great to hear from you! :-) I’ve actually been thinking of doing more on international organisations. It’s just finding a good angle that will be engage people. Sadly, often the videos I most enjoy making are the ones that do worst in terms of views.

[@killerpotato5445]

@@JamesKerLindsay No problem just keep making video which both the viewer and you enjoy

[@eeke7438]

The international community support from Britain and The Soviet union's support was a crucial. The support from Cameroon to block food supply was the final straw.

[@africanbeauty4736]

Am from Biafra, our biggest odd in life is being in Nigerian state. God & relevant humans should help Biafrans.

[@VanGogh951]

Checking your KZbin channel on Fridays has become some kind of custom for me. Instead of thinking where to spend a Friday night I've started thinking about your new topic :D Great video!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Good evening Aleksandar! I can’t tell you how nice it is to hear that! Thank you. 🙏🏻🙂 Have a great weekend. By the way, just to let you know that, all being well, it’s back to SE Europe next week. There’s a huge anniversary coming up and so I’ve got another video planned for my origins of country series. 🤫

[@stevenwilliams3015]

@@JamesKerLindsay I checked your replies, and it all rubbish.. You only reply to rubbish and refuse to get involved with important comments that matter which wonder why you did the video in the first place...you are definitely British

[@JJ-pn5ut]

@@JamesKerLindsay do a follow up on the Biafran issue. They way i see it this war isn’t over but just postponed for another time. IPOB and other Biafran group are giving Nigerian army a run for the money in the south east. And these are the same Nigerian forces trained my American green berets and Russian GRU personal. I also believe that they were 2 Prior genocidal acts perpetrated on the Igbo people by the Nigerian government and other enthic groups prior to the the Biafran genocide. And also do sum research on the unknown gun men phynomon in south east Nigeria or Biafra . Thing are getting interesting in Nigeria

[@kakie784]

James after listening to your analysis of THE BIAFRAN WAR, it appears objective and since you mentioned you may revisit this programme at a future date. I suggest you seek appointment with our greatest Biafran at the moment since Gen. Ojukwu, his name is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. There is no future of Biafra without him. Thank you.

[@obioraobi]

The fact that you highlighted that merging of the southern and northern protectorate as economic, also highlights Nigeria continued existence is economic, tithe North cannot live without the south,The Nigerian civil war was fought by the North primarily for the economic survival of the North

[@MrDavid-gj8db]

God bless you James. We will continue sharing the video

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. It is a tragic and hugely important event that deserves to be far better remembered.

[@deerich36]

People from the rain forest in the southern part of Nigeria have a different way of life, culture, and thinking from those from the desert in the Northern part of Nigeria. These two groups of people can not coexist. Research has proven this. The Northerners will want the southerners to act and think like them and vice versa. This conflict will never end until the country is divided and people are willing to die for it.

[@SosaSal_]

They need to coexist! All of the fighting is bringing the country backwards.Nigeria has so much potential to be great. Enough already.

[@oghenekomeologho-whiskey2105]

I tire for igbos o we want for them they stop oppesing other ethnic groups in the civil war my ethnic group ijaw war draged into the stupid confilt my grandfather died and the ijaws are not Igbo neither Calabar people but they draged us to join the Biafra despite we are not igbos the Igbo oppesion is real

[@Michael-rn5kv]

@ dee rich thanks for your brilliant analysis Nigeria should break peaceful

[@smoothgoogle7019]

Thanks so much James for this great news May God bless your days on earth, we're hoping that one day Biafra will stand as a country again for the peace of African.

[@BingoH33ler]

Great narrative James! I think the only thing you missed was that following surrender of the Biafrans in 1970, Nigeria pursued a draconian policy of exclusion, marginalization and oppression of the region and its people. This inevitably led to a second uprising in which Biafrans are ready to fight a long bitter second civil war to finally live decently in freedom like other human beings in the world.

[@veritas2048]

Stop the lies please, you need to seek the truth and not buy into the propaganda.

[@chidiebereudechi397]

@@veritas2048 DSS will increase your pay, you are doing a decent job for them

[@maxwellsanta7085]

@@veritas2048 great Nigeria propagandists. Go and receive your pay, Senseless being... what makes you think you can cover the moon with your hands?

[@johnchulwudi3491]

Thanks James for your nice script which was only 50 % correct and 50 % wrong and half baked for any good student of history.

[@veritas2048]

@@johnchulwudi3491 He did very well, you ibo people simply want him to push your false narrative of victimhood.

[@greenecotechfarms3503]

I really do love your passion on international conflicts Prof. That’s a great 👍 one there from the Biafran people of Nigeria. Please prof is it possible you also do the one for the people of British Southern Cameroons precisely the anglophones people of Cameroon 🇨🇲? Because we too have been into war now for over six years.

[@samjr4513]

James this was a nice presentation. Much appreciated

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much indeed!

[@alfredokezieministries1836]

I am a biafra,please help us gain freedom from the british empire called nigeria.

[@a.d.sstudioanimation6438]

God bless you i love how you putted kurdistan in States of tommorow Thank you so much💙

[@goodnessezema7608]

I here it direct and Clare if Nigeria refuses letting Biafrans go this year, 2021,there’ll be another civil war in Nigeria,

[@Codemanlex]

Stfu

[@catchphrase3008]

That's true

[@___john3934]

True

[@somtochukwuuchendu7721]

You just earned another Biafran subscriber

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much!

[@acropolis6816]

Echoes of the Biafran war still reverberates.

[@trommelbiel]

Sir please keep making videos. I was a child of Biafra during that bloody conflict. The bloody pictures are permanently engraved in my brain. Please do whatever you can to showcase our plight. The massacre of the Igbos has started again this time secretly.

[@HNSTTV]

First time sub, suggested by KZbin

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much! And welcome to the channel. I hope you find it interesting. I do a lot on independence movements and conflicts. I hope to be able to return to Biafra. I know that it is still very much a live issue for many people.

[@aduduodudu7893]

@@JamesKerLindsay thank you, nice one on the short documentary. We hope that Britain will negotiate a Biafran exit asap. If delayed, the next generation of Biafrans will not ask nicely or even ask at all, listening to them, they will rise and tear the continent apart...it will spell the end of Western governments influence on the whole of Africa.

[@MartintheMetalhead]

Its funny you mentions Biafra today, because I've seen a few Biafra flag stickers all over London. I spoke to my Dad in Australia today. Hes almost 72. I told him all about the Yemen fammine going on now. He said to me The Yemeni war/Famine is simmilar to my generations Biafra. I always encourage Generatons X, Y,Z and Minneinals to ask the Baby boomers what was certains events in history like. Thats how we learn!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

That’s interesting! I wonder what that’s all about? And you’re quite right. As someone who studies conflict, I’ve always found it really interesting how different generations are affected by particular wars. For me, growing up in the 1980s, the defining conflict was Lebanon. But Biafra would have been huge for anyone in the late-1960s.

[@cyrildouglas7093]

He is not well informed... he is telling you what he read on books... there's alot of crises today in Nigeria that makes every entity in that British contraption is now wanting out...

[@awarranetworktv499]

The Biafran flags are the serious campaigns for Biafra independence led by IPOB which has presence in 120 countries - Germany its global headquarters and Nnamdi Kanu its leader who's in exile after escaping attempts on his life.

[@emmanuelokoroaforokoro7018]

Biafra is a spirit and unstoppable nobody born by a woman can stop IPOB, ESN and Biafra restoration very very soon victory will be us by the special grace of Almighty God Chukwu okike abiama pụrụ ime ihe nile All must Hail biafra the land of the arising sun ⛅

[@lawalhakeem6734]

Gentleman come off it ... you can’t win the war that will happen so why bother ... go and make money instead

[@jimjames4109]

Bless you James. Thanks so much for the analysis!!!

[@Lolzyeets]

This was in my recommendations after watching a meme video about this

[@nevermind8063]

Same

[@raymondchibueze7736]

I am an ibo,a Biafran,but my Dad or Mom never told me about this ,I only read it And I am still digging deep about this ,nothing is bad having one Nigeria but the corruption of our current leaders is killing the country as a whole

[@LeonardDanVincent]

You're certainly not Igbo and you know it. Your last name reveals your ethnicity.

[@ott1887]

Good stuff as always

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you! I’d been meaning to do this video for ages. It really was a hugely important conflict, and yet so little known today.

[@ott1887]

@@JamesKerLindsay Being a bit older and a lay fan of History for the majority of my life, I always appreciate factual based subjects dealing with Geo-political and conflicts such as this.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank so much Theodore. Always nice to hear that they go down well. Unfortunately, I have a good idea of what is likely to get a lot views on the channel, and I know that these historical ones don’t tend to do well. (At least in the short term. Over time they can pick up a lot of views from subject searches.) But I love doing them and so it’s really nice to hear that there is an audience that shares my interest! :-) Many thanks again and have a great weekend.

[@MsScagger]

Just had a chat with a taxi man who told me about this. This should be main stream news. Wow.

[@fpsserbia6570]

Great video, I would like to hear your opinion on Suez canal Crisis - France, UK and Israel vs Egypt (1956)

[@JamesKerLindsay]

What a brilliant suggestion! Thank you. Seriously, I hadn’t thought of doing one on Suez, but it’s a great topic. Again, a conflict many might have heard of, but most probably don’t know much about it these days.

[@africanbeauty4736]

Biafran nation will be established, Nigeria can not work as an entity, the divide is vast. We Biafrans we are happy for the level the Biafran government in Exile is going. Thanks so much for taking your time to explain to the world about the plight of Biafra.

[@davegrays5046]

Thanks James, history will remember you for good for doing this. I look forward to the next video. Btw, do I have your permission to share this?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. Yes, please do! All I’d ask is that you either link to the video or, if it’s embedded, you provide a link to the channel. (Gaining subscribers really helps the channel grow and develop.) But obviously I’m always delighted if people want to share my videos.

[@richardrufus3663]

I love you James.... You give me too much knowledge. God bless

[@emmanuelkingsley3686]

we are still fighter for Biafra till now and with a movement called IPOB and we have leader known as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

[@oghenekomeologho-whiskey2105]

I tire for igbos o we want for them they stop oppesing other ethnic groups in the civil war my ethnic group ijaw war draged into the stupid confilt my grandfather died and the ijaws are not Igbo neither Calabar people but they draged us to join the Biafra despite we are not igbos the Igbo oppesion is real

[@thomism1016]

Spot on. You have gained yourself a new subscriber. Kudos. I eagerly await your video on the current calls for Biafran succession amongst the Igbos within the backdrop of the prevailing political climate in contemporary modern day Nigeria in the light of other similar agitation elsewhere in the country. 🥰🎊🥂🎁🍸🍾🌶🎉🍷🤓

[@SportFact88]

If there was an Agreement in Aburi in Ghana with ojukwu and the Nigerian government to restore sanity in the country, and who are the people behind the cancellation Agreement that made Ojukwu declare Biafra for the safety and wellbeing for he's people in the eastern region of Nigeria? I just need an answer.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. It is a really interesting story. Ojukwu clearly believed that a deal had been struck. And it could well have been the case that one was. But it does seem to be the case that the government reneged on any agreement. Clearly, reconstituting the country into 12 states and this dividing up the Eastern Region was deliberately designed to weaken the East. So, the balance of evidence suggests that the federal military government deliberately destabilised the situation.

[@SportFact88]

Hmm, Thanks for the Answer, it clearly shows that Biafra restoration was a noble and just course for the people in the Eastern region of Nigeria.

[@veritas2048]

Oh please stop the lies........ There is a lot more to it than the bloody Aburi Accord, if Ojukwu was not a disgusting egomaniacal psychopath he would have negotiated once more. If he cared about the safety and wellbeing of his people, why did he let the war drag on for so long? Why the hell did he refuse the offer of a land corridor to Biafra bringing aid? He claimed that the food would be poisoned, so the Red Cross offered to supervise the entire operation, yet he refused. If he cared, why did he send boy soldiers with hardly any weapons to be slaughtered. Seek the truth. By the way I suggest you read up on the atrocities carried out on the Eastern minorities by the Ibo. link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-50630-2_6 encompass.eku.edu/jora/vol1/iss1/2/ www.scribd.com/doc/111157467/The-Biafran-Crisis-and-the-Midwest-by-S-E-Orobator

[@SportFact88]

@@veritas2048 Well ojukwu has every right to defend he's people I don't see anything bloody in the Aburi Accord, bcos an agreement was reached with the Ghanaian head of state was a witness, if Nigeria government as at that time can cancel the agreement made to bring sanity in country, then the government of Nigeria can't be trusted. That is why until now Nigeria is in a big mess, bcos it was structured on force and fraud.

[@veritas2048]

Evidently you fail to realise that in politics, the goal posts shift to align with where the power lies. If Ojukwu had half a brain he would have played along and built capacity to the point where his people could hold their own. Biafrans were ill equipped, and lacked the capacity to prosecute a war. Are you so brainwashed? Ojukwu had no strategy, he was a demagogue that was out for himself.

[@frank099100]

Thanks for quick lecture. Despite many Africans aspiring secession, globally no one has appetite for such idea particularly AU and EU. The best option is to accept their fellow Africans and negotiate new constitutional accommodations

[@ebenezerikechukwu6380]

"the best option" for the status quo, perhaps. Our people are determined and have learnt and improved. Negotiation remains central to mutually beneficial outcomes.

[@makavelistillmakaveli6972]

The Biafrans need thier freedom by every means and I can see another war coming to Nigeria.

[@nwauka1184]

Good ..

[@ifeanyibxt]

There is war on going right now...

[@igbotimehopper64yearsago46]

I will come for my great price

[@ugoorji5740]

Let war come it seems that is the only language the oppressors hear

[@Max-ns8lc]

@@ugoorji5740 who are the oppressors?

[@racrac4760]

Thanks James may God bless you as you talk more about Biafra...we Biafra need to go our separate way thanks.

[@benijezie2486]

We biafra love freedom nigerian and british government are evil , all we need is biafra and nothing else nigerian is a terrorist nation and we biafrias can't accept that biafria or

[@benijezie2486]

Nothing

[@finbarrnolan7676]

It's interesting to see how the attitudes of many African states towards colonial borders have changed since the Biafran war. Back then, most of them would have attempted to maintain those borders at any cost while in the last decade, not only South Sudan, an African country not based on colonial boundaries was welcomed into the international community following its independence but also many African states are now starting to support Morocco's claims to the Western Sahara through the establishment of consulates in the area and the readmission of Morocco into the AU.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Great point. I’m not sure I’m quite as positive. South Sudan is interesting, but I think other factors were at play there. Also, it really did straddle North and sub-Saharan Africa in an unnatural way. As for Morocco and Western Sahara, you’re right. A lot of countries do seem to be shifting their stance, but again I’m not sure it is down to a genuine shift in positions. To my mind, the real test is Somaliland. It has a really strong case for statehood, and yet it is still unrecognised, despite an African Union recommendation for recognition.

[@finbarrnolan7676]

@@JamesKerLindsay Very valid points raised. If Somaliland continues to exist and consolidate itself in the next 1-5 decades, I think it will eventually become recognised by other countries as the Somali government's claims to the region become more irrelevant to the international community as the years go by. Another very serious test for the AU regarding secession is the current crisis in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government right now is not only facing what could be a protracted guerrila war in Tigray, but also a rapidly growing insurgency in Oromia and a complete loss of control over large parts of Benishangul-Gumuz and the SNNPR. However, the most concerning recent development in my opinion is the Amhara region's de-facto annexation of Western Tigray. The Amhara regional government has already shifted to openly stating that those territories belong to the Amhara region and I fear this annexation has opened a very ugly Pandora's box of irredentism. www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/11/ethiopias-amhara-rejects-charges-of-ethnic-cleansing-in-tigray

[@tonybrown6261]

Hello james you have not towards the end properly analyzed the present political condition of Nigeria, taking into consideration. The Fulani factor and terrorism against indigenous tribes, and their brazen disregard for the faulty 1999 constitution which they hoisted on on the country, criminally calling it a federal constitution. Which in actual practice is a unitary constitution. And the fact that the Fulani who are less in population are having this nostalgia of Fulanization and Islamization of the country. Please study the situation very well. War is about to break out in the country soon, not only Biafra strongly agitating to exit but the Yorubas are pushing for the same exit. And the political class are the most corrupt in the world, coupled with the fact that there is massive unemployment in the country. Nigeria is doomed to break up soon, Go back and make another analysis. British can hold it back this time from collapsing.

[@hassanabdikarimmohamed2505]

@@tonybrown6261 mate, you are parochial and have low self esteem, why are you wishing for the British to save Nigeria? They aren't your master anymore, sort your own issues without wishing for British colonisation again Guy actually said the British will save and hold Nigeria together 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@okpegodson1675]

@@JamesKerLindsay God will never forgive Britain for the evil they did to Biafra and and Nigeria entirely, before the war every region was managing it's resources just like in the US and Uk and old eastern Nigeria happens to be the fastest growing Economy in the world almost by 46% every year, the west were performing their own miracle as well, Tafawa Balewa was doing great with all the massive industries in the North, people were gainfuly employed, dollar was no way close to Naira, for Britain to gain control of our vast Oil and Natural gas in the East and other Natural resources scattered all over Nigeria, they had to impoverish us, thereby telling the northerners who are not educated that regional system of government was not favoring them and that soon the Igbos will dominate their accestral lands thereby making them slaves in their own land, it started in Kano when over 100,000 Igbos were massacred, Cornell Ojukwu had to call on every Igbo to return back home, Ojukwu travelled with Gowon to Aburry for reconstruction, the Agreement was signed, the Igbos were Happy, but on Gowon's arrival to Nigeria, the Brits told him to ignore whatever agreement and tear the documents which he willingly obliged, on Ojukwu discovering betrayal of the Abury agreement he decleard the state of Biafra, before you could know the useless British media and magazines started portraying Ojukwu as a rebel, Weeks after that they started attacking Biafra land with first the police and later came back with the army their Tankers, jet fighters etc to a people which has no weapon, no military whatsoever, to make the matter worse the Britain made sure Nigeria got all her external helps from different countries but successful blocked the Supply of food from countries who wanted to help especially Norway whose stockfish supply was blocked leaving over 3 million Biafran children dead through kwashiorkor and Starvation, Britain was the beginning of our problems and they are still our problem even now

[@gallantbest1802]

God bless you Mr, Jame.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you.

[@obio1003]

James, thank you for the video. Let me start by saying Biafra war wasn't really a war, rather a Genocide against the indigenous people of Biafra. Let me also make something clear here, prior to the existence of Nigeria, there were independent Biafra people who lived in peace and harmony until the British forcefully joined the people of biafra, yoruba and Hausa and called them Nigeria. By the way, the fulani are not part of the indigenous people of Nigeria, they were foreigners who also came through the back door and resided in the northern Nigeria with the pretense that they are part of Hausa people. By nature, Biafra people are industrious and practice Republican system of government where equity, and justice are paramount to their dogma. Economic wise, the Biafran people were doing excellent and competing with the rest of the world until the British came through the backdoor as well and changed their autonomy and way of life. There is fundamental differences between the three ethnic groups the British forcefully joined together. They had nothing in common. It is just like missing oil with water. Yes you were right that Dr. Ojukwu and Gowon reached an agreement for regional government in Abori accord in Ghana and everything was sealed and done. The Nigerian government later retraced their step on the agreement, and decided to wedge genocide war against the people of Biafra. Infact they wanted to wipe the Biafra people from the surface of the earth, and claim their natural resources. This is because the resources the Nigerian people are enjoying today is coming from Biafra land. They used their resources at will to develop the northern side while the south is left undeveloped. I meant this is where the natural cake is coming from. isn't it wickedness of highest order. During the genocide war, the Nigeria government also peddled lies and control the narratives. The people of Biafra were called rebels, despite the fact they were in their respective homes when Nigeria government started killing them, and purposefully called such a war. Yes Biafra people were forced to defend themselves. It was unfortunate situation. More than 5millions biafra loss their lives. Even as it stands now, the samething that led to the genocide war is currently happening at the moment. The Biafra are sideline in Nigeria and are being treated as the 3rd class citizens and also been killed on daily basis. It is so unfortunate. The indigenous people of Biafra are still working even harder to get their freedom from Nigeria under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The Biafra people still feel like they are not needed in Nigeria, yet the Nigeria government wouldn't let them go. This world is wicked! I guess it is what it is!

[@danielletantra1558]

Thank you for this informative and heartfelt comment. I was intrigued beyond the content of the video. This is the voice I hoped to learn from. 5 million. 😫 Prayers for equality and restoration of inhabitants In their indigenous land. May I suggest you edit the comment and add a few spaces for paragraph breaks? Your intelligent writing will be easier to digest. Thanks again. ✊🏼🌎

[@justicejustice4545]

Thank you Mr James for taking your time to post this video As a criminologist with knowledge of sociology and history and as an Igbo Biafran too I stand a greater chance to help you make another video that will highlight more insight into the cause of the war For example Aburi cord was signed in Ghana by both Gowon and Ojukwu why did Gowon refuse to implement it? but choose to create 12 states The 1st coup was not mainly by Igbos they mixed up but most other tribes did not meet up with the plan only Igbos soldiers carry out theirs that's why it was not successful, had others carried out theirs it would have been successful and will not have been tagged Igbo coup Also, if the 1st coup was Igbo coup it was targeted to soldiers and politicians but the retaliation did not only kill Igbo soldiers and politicians they killed innocent civilians in the north and Lagos At first the 1st coup was not tagged Igbo coup until BBC called it Igbo coup so this country was disjointed by British, the war was cause by British and was executed by British and the deaths of innocent Igbo children is British monarchy and government not to their good citizens Thank you so much waiting to hear from you @James Ker_Lindsay

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate the comments. I try to use the comments section as a way for people to correct errors or post alternative readings of the events I cover. I really appreciated your insights and I am sure that others reading your comments will find them incredibly useful. There are a lot of unanswered questions about the war, not least of all what Gowon really agreed and why the Nigerian Government took such a provocative decision to create the new states. Thank you.

[@mcgeorge007]

As a Biafran, the war is still on against Biafra.

[@angelicakweku5293]

Never ended!!! Hence, people born after the war, still feel it!!!

[@oghenekomeologho-whiskey2105]

I tire for igbos o we want for them they stop oppesing other ethnic groups in the civil war my ethnic group ijaw war draged into the stupid confilt my grandfather died and the ijaws are not Igbo neither Calabar people but they draged us to join the Biafra despite we are not igbos the Igbo oppesion is real

[@somtochukwuuchendu7721]

​@oghenekomeologho-whiskey2105 The Biafra republic was formed by the Eastern Region government, it was multiethnic so you would expect their claimed territory to be multiethnic as well. If the Eastern Region had divided before the declaration of Biafra, there would be no such incursions. Biafra's propaganda minister was Efik, and the second Biafran president was Ibibio. The name Biafra was picked by an Ijaw.

[@libertyagbai7952]

Weldone brother, let the world hear the truth

[@u.c2800]

As an Igbo , I actually don't want or expected anything like this to happen to our beautiful people in Nigeria to fight each other because of bad government, its heart breaking 😢 💔 to see dead people everywhere mostly in Eastern parts , I'm sure that this's a prophecy said in the Bible how ever What will be will eventually be says the MOST HIGH GOD , Thanks to you sir James for your support

[@ekinematics]

Waribo is Igbo? Mmmh, that's an Ijaw name.

[@u.c2800]

@@ekinematics My husband is from bayasa

[@ekinematics]

@@u.c2800 Noted.

[@fegaile1864]

The major problem(probably the only) with this video is that biafran was has been forgotten, it hasn't and there are still people trying to reignite the biafran state, plus you can hardly have a political conversation or one about history with a fellow Nigerian without Biafra coming up. Still a really nice video.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. I know that it hasn’t been forgotten by Biafrans, or by many in Nigeria - although, as many have pointed out, the Government is keen to see it disappear. My point was that it had been forgotten internationally. Given that it was such a humanitarian tragedy that got worldwide attention at the time, it is amazing how little known it is today. Hardly any of my students have heard of it. This is why I call it the forgotten civil war. For all its significance, it’s hardly remembered today by the international community.

[@fegaile1864]

@@JamesKerLindsay ok, I understand your point now.

[@tolic14ever]

Hey James, friendly advice, though beautiful try reducing face% vs other visual, + when showing maps do the extra with arrows everyone loves, maps with arrows

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. But if people want lots of pretty visuals there are are plenty of other channels for this. I spend my time researching and writing quality analysis. I’m sorry, but I just don’t have time to do both. (And it is free!) Each to their own. :-)

[@starfoxdelta]

@@JamesKerLindsay but the arrows :C

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@@starfoxdelta OK. Point taken. The maps with arrows stay! :-)

[@starfoxdelta]

@@JamesKerLindsay YES!

[@starfoxdelta]

@@JamesKerLindsay WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@benladenno1340]

I have subscribed to Ur channel bro. By talking about Biafra Ur channel will Be blessed. Ur Life is going to change my brother. I am telling you a fact because we Biafrans are people of faith. God bless you

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks you so much. I had been meaning to take a look a Biafra for a long time. It was such an important and tragic conflict, and yet sadly forgotten internationally. I also hope to return to look at the current situation at some point.

[@lemigod4475]

The Nigerian Civil War has become overshadowed by the much more brutal,much more prolonged 2nd Congo War,that resulted in a whopping 6.7 million deaths,it was literally Africa's own World War,the worst to ever happen in History of humanity.Otherwise this was a good take on the War,I have watched another video that went down deeper,but your info is on the money.Good you did your research and presented the scenario without pushing any agendas.Sadly some you tubers will cherry pick information to suit their agendas and then try to present a video as fact,even though the info is badly flawed,so much critical info is ignored coz the presenter wants to push alternative facts.Glad this channel does not push alternative facts,it works with real facts.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much for the comments and the support for the channel. I really appreciate it. I do indeed get accused of taking sides. And sometimes I do express a very personal opinion - for example on Somaliland’s right to independence and Western Sahara’s right to self determination - but these are positions that are supported by evidence showing that they have been treated unjustly. I C also believe in highlighting wrong doing by any and all international actors, whether it is the USA, Russia, China or the United Kingdom. Thank you so much for raising the conflict in DRC. You are absolutely right. This has indeed been termed Africa’s World War, and with good reason. I really must do a video on it! In any case, thanks again for the kind comment.

[@Ezechiukwu]

You have one new subscriber because you have just said it the way it is

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much indeed. I appreciate it.

[@alokwuchiemelieezekiel2973]

Biafra must be restored. I have just subscribed to your channel. Please do more videos on Bịafra. Try to interview our leader Mazi Nnamdi kanu to give more clarification on this matter, thank you James

[@chidiraphael939]

Sir! I appreciate your contribution in our struggle. I assure you that there is no going back this time! We are ready to die with them. Nigeria will never know peace untill they let us go! The ghost of our ancestors and children shall toment them untill all the north becomes desert.The Lord said to the Edom, I will do to you all you did to my people!!!Ezekiel 25:11-14

[@therustguy10]

I disliked this video at first! But stuck back to watch. I ended up liking it and even subscribing! The war may be forgotten, around the world but we never forget!!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks a lot! It actually happens surprisingly often. :-) I do try to be fair in my videos. Anyway, a very warm welcome to the channel!

[@therustguy10]

@@JamesKerLindsay yeah, i wasn't expecting such an explanation from you tho! I thought you may be biased, but you were not you maintained that line. You see my parents and grandparents lived and survived the war, we lost uncles and aunties, lots of loved one! Very sad! So we the younger generation were told the story of the war and how gruesome it was on my people. So we know this stories very damn well and would not tolerate a biased perfective. But you made a great video. I love it!

[@fataiadegbenro984]

@@therustguy10 Hope you realize others nigerians lost their loved ones in this stupid war and upto today our inability to be intellectually challenge and curious as to seek unpopular solution to the reasons for the war is still killing us today. We the new generation should challenge ourselves and find hope and emancipate ourselves from the mental slavery of our past

[@mathew_uche]

I am a Biafran too and it's sad that my ancestors/race went through a tragic moment once upon a time in history. The aftermath of the war is still evident till date (2024) as people from the Biafran side (largely IGBOS) have been relegated/marginalized in every area and affairs of Nigeria. But because an average Biafran is entrepreneural in nature and believes strongly in self development and growth, we have been thriving economically with/without significant involvement in Nigerian government and affairs. Today are regarded as one of the richest race/tribes in "Africa" economically. The country Nigeria has been ruled/government mostly by the same people who waged the war on the Biafrans but since 1967 - 2024, the country has been going down the drain in all spheres. (Very Sad) There's still agitations till date by different Biafran groups in Nigeria which comes in time to time. The British did great injustice by merging people of different culture, believe etc as one in Nigeria and expect them to coexist. It's just like mixing oil and water - they can never mix up as one no matter how long you keep them together. Nigeria is so big and vast to have about four countries in it yet the British authorities/colonizers forcefully kept them as one since 1914 for the sole purpose of exploiting their natural resources. For now i am a "Nigerian by force" but will continue to be a "Biafran in heart". God bless every Igbo and every Biafran out there. #Biafra #Igbo

[@brianewuzie7652]

Thanks for your objective analysis of the Biafran War. Unfortunately, most of your Nigerian viewers are taking the wrong lessons from it. You concluded that the Biafran War made unilateral secession MORE difficult for want-away regions and ethnic groups around the world. But your Nigerian viewers, especially the Igbo ones, seem to believe that you're championing the cause of Biafra and their quest for independence from Nigeria. You're actually saying that their task is much harder today than it was in the sixties.

[@guppy719]

Not that I have a dog in the fight. But I would say that the climate towards succession is much friendlier today than it was in the 60s. While Yes it did establish doctrine in its time. That time was almost 60 years ago.

[@_____.3958]

We appreciate this video thank you.

[@davidchinenye2226]

May ELOHIM bless you for making this presentation, for those who don't really know about BIAFRA to understand what happened

[@Marksmandprince]

I'm from BIAFRA. The biafra civil war is a war that I will never forget even if I died due I was not born but history must remember..the war started from July 1967 to January 15 1970. The war is not just a Nigeria war but the British verse BIAFRA. The war was not only biafra but the world. More than 9 countries around the world forght against biafra 3 year .imagine if the war was Nigeria verses biafra 3 year without assistance of Nigeria what will happen to Nigeria. If Biafra was not clear no living things in Nigeria will survive this' if my grandfather faulth for 3 year how about this generation. BIAFRA or Death ..we don't need restructuring what we ask was BIAFRA nothing more. 1967 to 1970 and 2021 is not the same this time we are all over the world with most talent. This time we have men who can perform.. thanks James for Remembering me time unforgettable History the Nigerian government use against us. BIAFRA OR NIGERIA WILL BECOME DESERTS WE are the Japan of Africa. The world will be surprise when BIAFRA achieved

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. Unfortunately, I couldn’t really go into a lot of detail about the war itself. I was going used more on the wider political and diplomatic efforts. But it would be really interesting to know what people from the region think of the conflict today. As others have pointed out, Nigeria has effectively tried to hide the story. Is there still a strong Biafran identity to this day?

[@mathew_uche]

@@JamesKerLindsay Yes James. There's still a strong Biafran identity till date. (I am a Biafran too) it's sad that my ancestors/race went through a tragic moment once upon a time in history. The aftermath of the war is still evident till date (2024) as people from the Biafran side (largely IGBOS) have been relegated/marginalized in every area and affairs of Nigeria. But because an average Biafran is entrepreneural in nature and believes strongly in self development and growth, we have been thriving economically with/without significant involvement in Nigerian government and affairs. Today are regarded as one of the richest race/tribes in "Africa" economically. The country Nigeria has been ruled/government mostly by the same people who waged the war on the Biafrans but since 1967 - 2024, the country has been going down the drain in all spheres. (Very Sad) There's still agitations till date by different Biafran groups in Nigeria which comes in time to time. The British did great injustice by merging people of different culture, believe etc as one in Nigeria and expect them to coexist. It's just like mixing oil and water - they can never mix up as one no matter how long you keep them together. Nigeria is so big and vast to have about four countries in it yet the British authorities/colonizers forcefully kept them as one since 1914 for the sole purpose of exploiting their natural resources. For now i am a "Nigerian by force" but will continue to be a "Biafran in heart". God bless every Igbo and every Biafran out there. #Biafra #Igbo

[@kanideflame5330]

Biafra to the world

[@mariaamara4217]

New Igbo subscriber, I like your channel 😀

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. Really appreciated!

[@Tunsmandie]

Two corrections: First of all, officers involved in the coup were both from northern and southern Nigeria. Newspaper articles from the era depicted celebrations from all over the country. However, only politicians from the north and west were killed at the end of it all leading to an acrimonious fallout amongst the coupists. Lastly, the British govt didn't organise the Aburi conference. Ghana did.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I take your point on the first issue. There does seem to have been wider involvement. On the second point, as far as I know Britain convened the conference, but Ghana hosted it.

[@Tunsmandie]

@@JamesKerLindsay thanks for your reply, can you kindly share the source of your information? With the little I know about international norms it's hard to imagine a country convening a peace conference or summit outside of its borders. And I am just worried that Britain might be sowing where it did not reap but taking the glory away from Ghana. As is the case with the widely held international view that the UK brought the civil war in Sierra Leone to an end, when every West African knows it was ECOMOG forces who did the hard fighting and the British UN contingent arrived when it was basically over.

[@somtochukwuuchendu7721]

​@@JamesKerLindsayBritian did attempt to host a peace conference on a British naval ship but Ojukwu said he would not "surrender" his safety to the British. Ojukwu had refused to meet the officers who had killed Ironsi in Lagos. He confined himself to the East and was concentrated on increasing his influence there, even going further to host meetings with the indigenous tribal leaders of the East. General Ankrah was respected by Ojukwu and he trusted the Ghanaian air force to fly him to Ghana. The meeting in Ghana was to reconcile Ojukwu's government with the rest of the Nigerian government on good terms. This had become an issue because Ojukwu was previously part of Ironsi's government and they could not kill him after they had killed Ironsi. So he was very opposed to their government and didn't see them as legitimate rulers of Nigeria. And so, all constitutional reforms and decrees by Ironsi's killers were not obeyed by Ojukwu, he would only recognise the accords he had agreed to in Ghana. And so Gowon had to break his influence. When Ojukwu decided to wrap it up and cut all ties between his government and those of the rest of Nigeria, Gowon ordered a police action to arrest him and topple his regime. Ojukwu resisted, and after months launched an attack at Gowon's seat of government in Lagos. This attack didn't succeed, and so the civil war ensued.

[@johnpersonage7220]

I've only recently found your channel and I'm a big fan already. I've always had a big interest in maps, countries, borders, enclaves and exclaves, and various related matters. I would love to see you do a video on what I would call "complicated borders" such as the insanely complex Baarle-Nassau enclaves/exclaves on the Belgian/Dutch border, Monschau on the Belgian/German border (which I've been through although at the time I didn't realise the border was so complex there), Campione d'Italia in Switzerland, The Tajikstan exclaves in Kyrgyzstan, The Fangchuan National Scenic Area in China sandwiched between Russia and North Korea, and the famous Egypt/Sudan triangle. There's probably a whole lot more you'd know about too I'd wager. Cheers, and keep up the good work.

[@ugoprince6523]

The Igbos are not only found in the southeast of Nigeria

[@JamesKerLindsay]

No. But that is the heartland. As I said, millions fled elsewhere in the country so there must have been communities beyond the south east.

[@noskyimo319]

@@JamesKerLindsay he meant outside of Nigeria

[@purgetheheretic]

We are still very divided. There are fundamental cultural and religious differences that cannot be bridged or accommodated between the North and most of the southern parts of Nigeria, especially with the Ibos who have been largely marginalised since the war. Your report was very balanced and accurate. I would encourage you to do some more research and report on the current state of affairs in Nigeria as so mentioned. Cheers

[@MA-go7ee]

Only a minority of online radicals believe our differences 'cannot be bridged' the rest of us have friends and relatives from all over the countey with whom we live together in peace.

[@purgetheheretic]

@@MA-go7ee surely it is not you contention that having friends from different parts of the country negates the reality of the tribal, religious and accompanying political differences plaguing Nigeria and its development. Before you label people online radicals, perhaps you should observe the realities of Nigeria more closely. You surely cannot be ignorant of the incessant communal, religious and tribal violence occurring in Nigeria. I would agree with you, that using the term cannot be bridged is perhaps fatalistic, and it is not my desire for things to remain as they are, as I have children growing up here. But it's been 62 years of independence and there are many parts of Nigeria where you unfortunately cannot live in peace with your neighbour. There have been too many corpses in village wells and fields to show for it. Not everyone has the privilege of living in a big and relatively secure city.