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20.11.17

50 years later – what are the legacies of Biafra?

The Biafra war from 1967-1970 was the first civil war in post-independence Africa and sparked strong reactions from around the world. Global media coverage presented the first TV-images of children starving in Africa, and this became the dominant visual representation of the continent in the international press. How has the civil war affected the perceptions of the continent and shaped humanitarian policies and organisations? What are the broader legacies of Biafra – both in Norway and Nigeria?

Even though the war ended 50 years ago, the impacts are still seen both locally and globally. Secessionist sentiment has simmered in the region since the Biafra seperatist rebellion and is still active today. The history of the civil war is still not being taught in schools. How have the scars of the civil war affected the nation-building project in Nigeria?

The war and the coverage of it has also had implications for Western aid organizations. Biafra was a seminal turning point for the Norwegian Church Aid and gave birth to Médecins Sans Frontiéres (MSF). What has Biafra meant for the development of humanitarian assistance and aid?

In the panel:

Chido Onumah: is a Nigerian/Canadian journalist, author, blogger and rights activist. Onumah is the author of "We Are All Biafrans" published in 2016.

Atle Sommerfeldt is the bishop of Borg, Church of Norway. He previously had the position as Secretary General of Norwegian Church Aid from 1994-2012.

Moderator is Rolf Ree, diplomat and former ambassador to Nigeria 2012-2016.


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