Content: military coup

Summary:

Summary: Mark flies from Rome to become Australian High Commissioner in Lagos in August 1965, just as violence erupts there, Ian Smith unilaterally declares independence for Rhodesia and “Winds of Change� continue to sweep through Africa. A military coup, for which “six Ibo majors� are blamed, overthrows the Federal Government of Nigeria in January 1966, killing the Prime Minister, a celebrated Muslim leader in the north and others, mostly northerners, to the apparent advantage of the Ibos. In July, the northerners take their revenge in a counter coup and savagely massacre thousands of Ibos. A million Ibo refugees flee to their homeland in the Eastern Region. Mark mediates between new head of government Gowon and charismatic leader of the Ibos, Ojukwu. As the world media watch, Mark talks to Ojukwu in his capital Enugu, raising hopes of a peaceful settlement. Mark travels to other African countries talking to their heads of government; but “things fall apart�. Ojukwu declares an independent state of Biafra, civil war breaks out and “brother� fights “brother.� Most Great Powers support Gowon with arms and supplies. Disease, starvation, bombing and military action kill a million Ibo men, women and children. The OAU, the Commonwealth and the United Nations do little but watch the genocidal-style slaughter. At the United Nations in New York, Mark is helpless. Ojukwu’s army surrenders in January 1970. Biafra dies, others plunder its oil in ways that corrupt the country and destroy traditional industries. In 1973, Mark returns to Nigeria on a “Goodwill Mission�. He meets Gowon again. Peace reigns. Biafra is only a memory – an especially bitter memory to Ibos who still suffer oppression and discrimination. The world takes little notice. It has other worries, other conflicts, other crimes and corruptions in which some can selfishly rejoice and to which others must grudgingly attend… Feedback: Comment/criticism of any kind welcome, including comment on content, literary quality and readability.

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