Nigeria 1967-1970: The Biafra War and Its Consequences

Between 1967 and 1970, Nigeria was the theatre of a cruent and bloody civil war that is commonly known as Biafra War. The conflict originated from internal crisis such as tribalism and political failures of the civil government after the indipendence, as well from external influences by the ex colonial powers. The war, which ended with Biafra surrender, confirmed the military as holder of power starting a long period of political dominance in Nigeria history which will have its culminating point in the Abacha regime of the '90s. This work analyses the roots of the conflict and the war itself, with an objective view and with the aim of presenting the Biafra War as an example of the long standing issues that affect the country and that represents, still in this age, a mirror of the African continent problems.