Time To Stop In Nigeria

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31986, 13 May 1969, Page 16

Time To Stop In Nigeria

In spite of the apparent failure of last month’s meeting between Biafran and Nigerian delegations in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, negotiation remains the only hope of ending the fighting and bringing reason to bear on the problem of Biafra’s future. Although the sponsoring Organisation of African Unity came up against stalemate again, there were at least signs of some narrowing of the gap. Neither the Federal leader, General Gowon, nor the Biafran leader, Colonel Ojukwu, attended. It was indicated, however, that the Federal Government might soften its previous conditions for fresh talks by asking for something less than the unequivocal abandonment of secession by Biafra. Even more hopeful was the statement by the Biafran Chief Justice, Sir Louis Mbanefo, that he had had to reject again the demand from Lagos for a united Nigeria because he had been unable to discover what unity meant Biafra, he said, did not flatly dismiss unity, but could not accept a united Nigeria “without “ knowing the nature, form, or extent of the security “ we are getting for our lives and property ”.

This implies little more than a request for safeguards, to be enforced by the 0.A.U., or perhaps even the United Nations. If General Gowon was sincere in his earlier promises of administrative reforms which would guarantee Biafra fairer treatment, politically and economically, he should himself make fresh overtures to Colonel Ojukwu. He should indicate the willingness of his Government to make clear, as a preliminary to settlement talks, just what status Biafra could expect in a reunified Nigeria and what guarantees might be given for the safety of the Ibo people.

The rains are back again to hamper military operations in eastern Nigeria; and the longer supply lines must discourage any hopes in Lagos for further military successes. Indeed, reports of sweeping changes in the Federal high command suggest that there is disquiet in Lagos over the military prospects. They might even be read as confirming Biafran claims to have retaken Owerri, a town larger and more important strategically than Umuahia, now apparently in Federal hands. As the Federal troops’ supply lines lengthen, so do the Federal Government’s costs rise; the strain on its resources may be as great as the strain on those of Biafra, which still appears to be effectively supplied in the field. The reported cutting off of French support for what General de Gaulle used to call “ Biafra’s just, great, and noble “cause” has not, according to the most recent reports, yet affected Biafra’s military capability. Common sense, and a little magnanimity on the part of Lagos, could put an end to the fighting during the wet season. The Biafrans want only credible assurances of security even if complete independence is denied them. The price of a military solution, assuming one to be possible at all, would be national exhaustion, economically and physically. The O.A.U. has a duty to prevent, if it can, so disastrous an out-: come. It must try once more, on the basis of Sir: Louis Mbanefo’s plea for clearer definition in: negotiation, to get General Gowon and Colonel Ojukwu together.