Western European Diplomacy: the Council of Europe and Humanitarian Aid in the Nigerian Civil War, 1967–1970
Western European Diplomacy: the Council of Europe and Humanitarian Aid in the Nigerian Civil War, 1967–1970

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines how the CoE championed the campaign for Western European humanitarian assistance to the victims of the Nigerian Civil War. While it interrogates the salient resolutions of the Council adopted on humanitarian action of the conflict, the study discusses the assistance of the Western European governments to the relief operations. While the study adopts historical narrative approach for data analysis, it utilizes primary sources such as archival materials obtained from the British National Archives Kew London and the CoE digital archives, and secondary sources such as books for data collection. The threat of hunger and starvation provoked global humanitarian campaign in the civil war. Through its resolutions and recommendations, the CoE had appealed to its member-states to develop collaborative efforts and collective action in the conduct of humanitarian operations of the war within the context of making financial donations, supply of food and medical equipment to those in need. European solidarity based on common moral responsibility influenced the joint humanitarian intervention by the Member States of the CoE. The CoE Member States ensured that the two sides of the conflict negotiated realistic terms for humanitarian operation. The increased human rights voices in Western Europe quickened the humanitarian action undertaken by the CoE. Member States channeled their energy solely in meeting the needs of the affected victims. Thus, for the sake of humanity and in the interests of human life and dignity Western European nations irrespective of their political affiliations and ideologies took giant steps to alleviate the pains of the people in the war zone.

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