Which countries supported Biafra and Nigeria during the Nigerian Civil War?
During the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), international support was divided between the federal government of Nigeria and the secessionist state of Biafra.
Support for the Nigerian Federal Government
The federal government, led by General Yakubu Gowon, maintained broad international recognition as the legitimate government of Nigeria. It received military support, specifically arms, from the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union.12
Support for Biafra
Biafra received diplomatic recognition from a small number of African nations, specifically Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Tanzania, and Zambia. Additionally, France provided weapons to the Biafran forces.12
Beyond military and diplomatic backing, Biafra also received significant humanitarian aid in the form of food and medicine from various countries and international organizations to assist its population, which suffered extensively from starvation and disease during the conflict.123