Soviet-Nigerian Relations on the Eve of and at the Beginning of the Civil War in Nigeria, 1966—1967 (Based on Russian Archival Sources)

Mazov, Sergey

doi:10.18254/S207987840011017-7

Home>Issue 8 (94)>Soviet-Nigerian Relations on the Eve of and at the Beginning of the Civil War in Nigeria, 1966—1967 (Based on Russian Archival Sources)

Soviet-Nigerian Relations on the Eve of and at the Beginning of the Civil War in Nigeria, 1966—1967 (Based on Russian Archival Sources)

Table of contents

Annotation Estimate Publication content

References Comments

Soviet-Nigerian Relations on the Eve of and at the Beginning of the Civil War in Nigeria, 1966—1967 (Based on Russian Archival Sources)

Annotation

PII

S207987840011017-7-1

DOI

10.18254/S207987840011017-7

Publication type

Article

Status

Published

Authors

Sergey Mazov Send message

Affiliation: Institute of World History RAS
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Edition

Volume 11 Issue 8 (94)

Abstract

The author was the first to examine closely Soviet-Nigerian relations during the civil war in Nigeria drawing on archival sources from Russia. He concluded that contrary to the widespread opinion, Soviet assistance, including supplies of military equipment and weapons, to the federal government, did not imply the triumph of “crude” pragmatism over ideological imperatives. Moscow’s plan was to enhance the Soviet influence throughout Nigeria, albeit with a “reactionary” government, rather than support the “progressive” breakaway Eastern Nigeria (Biafra) and receive nothing. Foreign Ministry adopted the plan of A. I. Romanov — soviet ambassador to Nigeria. According to his plan, the USSR had to try to use the opportunities provided by the civil war to strengthen Soviet influence in Nigeria through increasing cooperation in all spheres and “establishing and developing political contacts with Nigerian statesmen and military leaders”. The 1967 attempts to implement the plan were unsuccessful due to reluctance of the Nigerian side.

Keywords

Soviet-Nigerian relations, civil war in Nigeria (1967—1970), USSR, Soviet foreign policy, Cold War

Received

07.07.2020

Publication date

30.09.2020

Number of characters

95856

Number of purchasers

Views

367

Readers community rating

0.0 (0 votes)

Cite Download pdf 200 RUB / 1.0 SU

To download PDF you should sign in

GOST	Mazov S. Soviet-Nigerian Relations on the Eve of and at the Beginning of the Civil War in Nigeria, 1966—1967 (Based on Russian Archival Sources) // ISTORIYA. – 2020. – V. 11. – Issue 8 (94) [Electronic resource]. URL: https://history.jes.su/s207987840011017-7-1/ (circulation date: 12.06.2021). DOI: 10.18254/S207987840011017-7
MLA	Mazov, Sergey "Soviet-Nigerian Relations on the Eve of and at the Beginning of the Civil War in Nigeria, 1966—1967 (Based on Russian Archival Sources)." ISTORIYA. 11.8 (94) (2020). DOI: 10.18254/S207987840011017-7
APA	Mazov S. (2020). Soviet-Nigerian Relations on the Eve of and at the Beginning of the Civil War in Nigeria, 1966—1967 (Based on Russian Archival Sources). ISTORIYA. 11(8 (94)). DOI: 10.18254/S207987840011017-7

Full text is available to subscribers only

Subscribe right now

Only article and additional services

Subscription benefits

200 RUB / 1.0 SU

Whole issue and additional services

Subscription benefits

1000 RUB / 10.0 SU

All issues and additional services for 2020

Subscription benefits

5000 RUB / 50.0 SU

References

1. Arkhiv vneshnej politiki Rossijskoj Federatsii (AVP RF). F. 047, 579.

2. Gluschenko E. A. Pervaya respublika v Nigerii. Formirovanie, krizis i padenie neokolonial'nogo rezhima. M., 1983.

3. Istoriya Nigerii v novoe i novejshee vremya. M., 1981.

4. Korovikov V. Polozhenie v Nigerii // Pravda. 22.01.1966.

5. Korshunov E. Tam, za rekoj Niger // Za rubezhom. 1967. № 24. 9—15 iyunya.

6. Kto zainteresovan v raskole Nigerii. Zayavlenie TASS // Pravda. 24.08.1966.

7. Mazov S. V. Politika SSSR v Zapadnoj Afrike, 1956—1964. Neizvestnye stranitsy kholodnoj vojny. M., 2008.

8. Obasandzho O. Nigeriya v ogne. Grazhdanskaya vojna v Nigerii 1967-1970 gg. Perevod s anglijskogo. M., 1984.

9. Rossijskij gosudarstvennyj arkhiv novejshej istorii (RGANI). F. 50.

10. Rossiya i Afrika. Dokumenty i materialy XVIII v. — 1960 g. T. II. 1918—1960 / pod red. A. B. Davidsona i S. V. Mazova. M., 1999.

11. Forsajt F. Istoriya Biafry. Perevod s anglijskogo. Soch. v chetyrekh tomakh. T. 1. M., 1993.

12. Central Intelligence Agency. Directorate of Intelligence. Intelligence Memorandum. Nigeria: Communist Influence and Aid. 8 December 1967. № 168/67 [Ehlektronnyj resurs]. URL: https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/ docs/CIA-RDP79T00826A003000300001-9.pdf (data obrascheniya: 16.03.2020).

13. Červenka Z. The Nigerian War. History of the War. Selected Bibliography and Documents. Frankfurt am Main, 1971.

14. Coleman J. Nigeria. Background to Nationalism. Berkeley, 1958.

15. De St. Jorre J. The Brothers’ War. Biafra and Nigeria. Boston, 1972.

16. Kirk-Greene A. Crisis and Conflict in Nigeria. A Documentary Sourcebook 1966—1969. Vol. I. L., N. Y., Ibadan, 1971.

17. Matusevich M. No Easy Row for a Russian Hoe: Ideology and Pragmatism in Nigerian-Soviet Relations, 1960—1991. Trenton, N. J., 2003.

18. Niven R. The War of Nigerian Unity 1967—1970. Totowa, N.J., 1971.

19. OCB Working Group on West Africa. Second Draft Operational Guidance for Nigeria. November 17, 1960 // Secret General Records of the Department of State. Bureau of African Affairs. Executive Director. Office of West African Affairs. Subject Files, 1955—1961. RG. 59. N. A.

20. Ogunbadejo O. Nigerian-Soviet Relations, 1960—1987 // African Affairs. 1988. Vol. 87. № 346. P. 83—104.

21. Ojukwu O. Biafra. Selected Speeches and Random Thoughts of C. Odumegwu Ojukwu, with Diaries of Events. Vol. 1. N. Y., 1969.

22. Orobator S. Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution in International Relations: The Soviet Union and the Nigerian Crisis. Benin City, 1997.

23. Padmore G. Pan-Africanism or Communism? L., 1962.

24. Prime Minister Balewa’s Visit. Washington, July 25—28, 1961. Nigeria Background Paper. July 18, 1961 // Secret. General Records of the Department of State. Bureau of African Affairs. Office of West African Affairs. Country Files. RG. 59. N. A.

25. Stremlau J. The International Politics of the Nigerian Civil War, 1967—1970. Princeton, N. J., 1977.