STATEHOOD IN INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE QUEST FOR THE RESTORATION OF BIAFRA: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

Abstract

There has been a rising quest for the restoration of the defunct Republic of Biafra, which has led to the emergence of various pro-Biafran separatist movements in southeastern Nigeria. Many people have continued to key into these movements without adequate feasibility study of the anticipated restoration of the defunct Republic of Biafra. This paper examined the current state of international law vis-à-vis the growing clamour for the restoration of the defunct Republic of Biafra. The research methodology adopted by the researcher is purely doctrinal, whereas analytical, descriptive and prescriptive approaches were employed. This paper found that the clamour for the restoration of the defunct Republic of Biafra does not violate any provision of the contemporary international law; but that the defunct Republic of Biafra may only be restored through a unilateral declaration of independence because Nigerian political leaders have never hidden their aversion to the restoration of the defunct Republic of Biafra since the end of the Biafran War. Also, this paper found that such unilateral declaration of independence may not be successful unless it is supported by at least one veto-wielding member of the United Nations Security Council, which will not only provide diplomatic assistances and cover to the restored Republic of Biafra, but will also be on the ground to plead her cause at the global stage. This paper, therefore, recommended that leaders of various pro-Biafra separatist movements should engage in massive bridge-building across the globe so as to garner the requisite support of the members of international community. Also, this paper recommended that leaders of various pro-Biafran separatist movements should begin to sponsor candidates for various elective offices within the territories of the defunct Republic of Biafra, which will not only put pro-Biafran separatist leaders in de facto and de jure control of the Biafran territories, but will also persuade the members of international community to take the struggle for the restoration of the defunct Republic of Biafra seriously.