Johnson
Olaosebikan Aremu
Ekiti
State University, Ado- Ekiti, Nigeria
Abstract
This article attempts an exploration of Ghana’s
mediatory role in a bid to broker peace between the Federal Military Government
of Nigeria and its dis-affectioned Eastern Region to prevent the impending
Nigerian civil war of July 1967 to January 1970. It notes Nigeria’s
disappointment in Ghana’s neutrality after the outbreak of war as well as
Nigeria’s subsequent accusation of Ghana as a collaborator with the
secessionist ‘Republic of Biafra’ throughout the war years. The article
carefully interrogates the factors that propelled Ghana’s neutrality and the
authenticity or otherwise of Nigeria’s insinuations against her action during
the war. It submits that apart from the humanitarian challenge of reducing the
carnage of the war, Ghana acted within the ambits of the Organisation of
African Unity’s Charter and Resolutions to remain neutral in what was regarded
as a ‘purely Nigerian internal affair’. The article concludes that since Ghana
was never a party to the war, it should be exonerated from all insinuations as
a collaborator with Biafra. Its mediatory role should be commended for
promoting peace in the West African sub-region.
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