NIGERIA-BIAFRA WAR
1967 – 1970
The George Washington University’s “Remembering Biafra” conference from April 20-21, 2017 brought together scholars, activists and humanitarians to examine the global impact of the Nigeria-Biafra War of 1967-70.
Speakers Toyin Falola and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie analyzed the war in terms of its impact on U.S.-Africa relations, its influence on the modern politics of humanitarianism, and the legacies of decolonization. With the 50th anniversary of the start of the war in June 2017, the conference explored why this major African crisis has been so long forgotten, and what lessons might be learned from remembering Biafra today.
Subsequently, the Institute launched the “Remembering Biafra” blog in April 2017. This blog serves to address a broad range of perspectives, highlighting the legacies and memories in media, literature and public life.
Its posts are written by several different people at GW. What they share is not so much a political perspective, but rather a determination to resist the politics of forgetting. Biafra’s history is part of Nigeria’s history.
