Sir: The British public have been told that the Nigerian
war is between a federal govern- ment and a 'breakaway' revolting province taking the name of Biafra. In strictly political terms this may be accurate, but it is entirely misleading. African matters can only be judged by African history and facts, not by super- imposed western political concepts.
The truth of the matter is that this is a classic African tribal war between the Moslem Hausa and Fulani of the north, numbering about ten millions, and the non-Moslem, partly Christian Ibos of the south, numbering under six millions. The traditional conclusion of an African tribal war is the slaughter of the men, women and children of the defeated side by the victors. This genocide will occur as soon as the lbos lay down their arms. They know it is coming. The world, if it is told the facts, will be 'horrified.'
The British government suspects that this is going to happen and it knows it could now be prevented by determined Commonwealth intervention—but 70 per cent of Nigerian im- ports come from here and half the export trade of a potentially vast market is ours. Better not to offend, then, the 'federal government.' Better to be blind to the nightmare.
This is what is going to happen, but at least the public should know that 'Nigeria' has reverted to the traditional African life and customs that existed in this great territory before a charter was conferred on the Royal Niger Company in 1886, the Coastal Protec- torate declared, and mass murder outlawed by British rule. Let us share the blame and the guilt with our government.
Gerald Sparrow 18 Chesham Street, Brighton
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