Why this year’s Biafra anniversary is very significant

The 2024 anniversary marks 60 years since the start of the Biafran War (the Nigerian Civil War, 1967‑1970). The sesquicentennial is significant because:* It is the first time the conflict’s 60th year has been commemorated, prompting renewed reflection on the war’s humanitarian catastrophe—over one million deaths from famine and fighting. * Ongoing separatist movements, especially the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have used the milestone to rally support, organize protests and demand a referendum on independence, raising tensions with the Nigerian government. * Internationally, the anniversary has sparked renewed debate over post‑colonial borders, minority rights, and the legacy... Views Nigeria