REASONING INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR Jake Pyhel and Adam Schmidt

Summary Question: How does our knowledge of international politics of the American Civil War help us to understand the international politics of the Nigerian Civil War? Argument: France and Britain became involved to protect their own political and economic interests Why it matters: Our knowledge of the international politics of these civil wars shows us that realism is a practical theory explaining why foreign sovereigns become involved in civil wars

Outline Brief History of Nigeria / Motivation Timeline of the Nigerian Civil War International Influence Patterns of International Actions in NCW and ACW Conclusion

Nigerian History / Our Motivation Nigeria was an artificial structure created by colonial powers in the nineteenth century Three ethnic regions South-east Ibo: Democratic South-west Yoruba:Monarchy Northern Hausa-FulaniStrict Islamic The North, although less westernized, dominated the Nigerian population and the political system Britain established

Nigerian History / Our Motivation Nigeria gains independence in 1960 All regions recognize differences, instability caused by attempts to keep country unified. Question: Why was there still such a push for the preservation of unification both within and outside of Nigeria?

Timeline of the Nigerian Civil War 1960 Nigeria gains independence from Britain as a federal state Nigeria declares itself a republic and appoints Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe as first president June 1966 Military coup under command of General Aguiyi-Ironsi who takes power as head of the military government. Azikiwe is kidnapped, and the Prime Minister is assassinated

Timeline of the Nigerian Civil War August 1966 Army troops mutiny General Aguiyi-Ironsi and Lieutenant General Yakubu takes power reinstituting a federal government system October 1966 Colonel Ojukwu, the military governor of the Ibo-dominated east, persuades President Yakubu to remove the mostly northern Nigerian army from the eastern region, allowing him to train and build his own troops May 1967 Colonel Ojukwu calls for seccession of Ibo-dominated, oil-rich Biafra, made up of three states in the east of Nigeria.

Timeline of the Nigerian Civil War July 1967 Federal troops invade Biafra and Civil War begins. Britain openly aligns with Nigeria, while France covertly aids Biafran. December 1969 After years of stalemate, Nigeria uses its increased military aid from Britain to capture key Biafran cities, while France remains covert and doesn’t offer more aid Colonel Ojukwu admits defeat and advises Biafran government to negotiate peace settlement. Biafra is reintegrated into Nigeria

International Influence in the NCW Question: Why was there still such a push for the preservation of unification both within and outside of Nigeria? “A businessman here says the reason is Biafran oil: “A million barrels of oil a day, or about one-third the production capacity of Kuwait. That kind of oil production is worth gambling for, even if the odds are against you.” – TIME Magazine, 1968 Realism: world politics are driven by competitive self- interest

International Influence in the NCW Two Major International Actors: Britain France Two Major Interests: Regional Political Influence Economic Control of Biafran Oil Production

International Influence in the NCW Britain, following the initial coup in June 1966 “We can expect increasing criticism …with a decline in British influence. But in the early stages of the new regime, most changes are likely to be in emphasis rather than direction … In the longer term Nigeria will, I think, as time goes on become less co-operative in its foreign policies and less sensible in its attitude towards expatriate economic interests” - Sir David Hunt, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, 1966 And after the NCW began: “Britain subsequently decided to back Nigeria, partly because it was… calculated that supporting Nigeria was its safest option if it were to preserve its oil interests in the country.” (Uche 2008, 126)

International Influence in the NCW And if Britain decided to withdraw their support for Nigeria “The [Nigerian] Federal Government would have had no alternative but to turn to the Soviet Union for ever-widening support. Russian advice and propaganda might have encouraged the Nigerians to take over the oil industry, the Russians being well placed to provide the technical expertise, which the Nigerians lack.” - (Uche 2008, 128)

International Influence in the NCW France Same story, but supporting Biafra Allies in the Region often attacked by Nigeria Threatened economic trade and political influence “Consequently when the Nigerian civil war broke out, with Biafra determined to secede, Charles de Gaulle, the French President, saw in the situation the best opportunity presented to eliminate the Nigerian threat to his allies and interests. In dismantling Nigeria by supporting Biafra, de Gaulle also saw an opportunity to get a foot- hold in Africa--a move that would then enable her to consolidate France's hegemonic control in the area by eliminating British competition.” - (Tesi 2010, 18)

International Influence in the NCW But keep in mind Neither side directly participated in war Offered military supplies and other aid Britain openly France covertly Would face political costs from international community Aid wasn’t was strong

Patterns of International Actions in NCW and ACW American Civil War Reminder Britain considered own interests when deciding not to recognize the South: Wanted access to southern cotton But also (at least to some degree) considered repercussions of recognizing a nation supporting slavery Recognizing the defeated south could have tarnished relationship with America Britain acted with their own best interests in mind during ACW, just as the European countries would do a century later in the NCW

Conclusion Question: How does our knowledge of international politics of the American Civil War help us to understand the international politics of the Nigerian Civil War? Argument: France and Britain became involved to protect their own political and economic interests Why it matters: Our knowledge of the international politics of these civil wars shows us that realism is a practical theory explaining why foreign sovereigns become involved in civil wars