Biafra

Biafra was a self-declared independent state from 30 May 1967 until 15 January 1970. It was and is now part of Nigeria, on the eastern border with Cameroon. In 1966 the Igbo, an ethnic group from South East Nigeria, fled from the Islamic north of the country after they were suspected of initiating a coup in the Nigerian government and became the target of mass killings.

When governor Chukwuemeka Ojukwu of East Nigeria did not receive guarantees for the safety of his people from the central government, he declared the secession of his territory on 30 May 1967: the Republic of Biafra was a fact. The response of the federal military government was fierce. Major-general Yakubu Gowon declared an economic blockade that resulted in a bloody war that lasted for two and a half years, until Biafra capitulated. During the war an estimated two to three million Biafrans died, mostly through starvation and illness.

Capital: Enugu

Government: Republic

Area: ?

Population: 13.500.000 (1967)

Currency: Biafran Pound

Links

Biafra in Wikipedia.

Flag of Biafra in Flags of the World.

Article 'Biafra: thirty years on' from the BBC on 13 January 2000.

Stamp catalogue

Human Rights

date: 1970

designer: -

printer: -

perforated: 13½:13¾

remark: this stamp issue was printed but the republic was overthrown before the stamps could reach Biafra,

therefore the stamps are not official

1 6 d + 10/- overprint UN emblem, surcharge, text "HUMAN RIGHTS" on Papal Visit to Africa

multicoloured, overprint in black

(cat. Michel -/SG -/Yvert -)

2 9 d + 10/- overprint UN emblem, surcharge, text "HUMAN RIGHTS" on Papal Visit to Africa

multicoloured, overprint in black

(cat. Michel -/SG -/Yvert -)

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last revised: 13 November 2008