August 5, 1968: A Betrayal of Justice - The Addis Ababa Deception

On this day, Biafran leader Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu bravely stated out the Biafran case for secession at the Addis ababa peace talks led by Emperor Haile Selassie. The two-hour powerful speech passionately illuminated how Nigeria oppressed and committed genocide on Biafra, which required them to seek secession. 

 But Nigeria’s Prime Minister, General Yakubu Gowon, ignored the talks refusing to attend them and sending instead Chief Anthony Enahoro who rudely dismissed Ojukwu’s words concerning justice and the role of Igbo people as mere rebellious and tribalistic. The international community led by the Organization of African Unity was more interested in the black unity than the Black January’s human rights atrocities against Biafran citizens. 

 The Addis Ababa talks turned out to be a complete betrayal; the world did not endorse the idea of Biafra’s existence. The Biafran war continued unabated for two more years, hence severe hardship and heavy loss of lives hit the Biafran population severely. These events are vital to reflect the Biafran appeal for freedom and justice as well as prompt people with the issue of human rights violations.