Filippov V.R. France Secret War in Biafra

Abstract: Using the method of historical reconstruction, the author finds out the cause and nature of the Nigerian civil war in 1967-1970. It is one of the bloodiest conflicts on the African continent for the entire post-colonial period. Comprehensive analysis of historical sources, including materials of mass media, memoirs of participants of events, investigative journalism, interviews with famous politics and diplomats, allows you to bring to light the explicit and implicit motives and goals of all parties of the conflict in this bloody confrontation. Particular attention is drawn to elucidating the role of the UK, France, USA, Soviet Union, as well as a number of African countries (such as Gabon and Ivory Coast) in the outbreak of the Civil War in Republic of Nigeria, on the specific manifestations of the geopolitical doctrine of "françafrique" in this conflict. The close connection has been shown between the events in the Republic of Nigeria and the Igbo genocide sociolinguistic groups in the Nigerian region of Biafra. The conclusion that the Elysee Palace for three years supported the Biafran separatists, providing them with logistical and military aid, providing political and diplomatic support to the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra in order to maintain economic and political preferences of Paris in this oil-rich region. The author believes that the civil war in the Republic of Nigeria has been clear evidence of latent confrontation between France, on the one hand and Anglo-Saxon (US and UK), on the other. And, also, the following conclusion is substantiate – that the assistance of the Soviet Union rendered to the Federal Government of Nigeria was due to the desire to extend the influence of communist ideology in the countries of tropical Africa.

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