Molotov

Brothers in the African struggle, I come to you with a heavy heart today. The conflict in Biafra, now a year old, shows no signs of changing from its violent course, as forces of the Federal Military Government and the Biafran army become increasingly confrontational, adding to an already-abysmal death toll. And the news grows equally more troubling, with rumors of Federal forces brutally quelling Igbo villages and hospital ships attacked by the Nigerian navy. Can we, as Africans, abide this?

I think not. Tanzania is not without sympathy for the Nigerian government, who has emerged, much like ourselves, from a long era of British colonial rule and seeks to establish itself among the world. We empathize with the Federal Military Government's of neo-colonialism, despite disagreeing with them, much as empathize with the need of the wronged Igbo people to address their grievances. But this is an African issue, at heart, not a Nigerian one: not a man among us has lived a life entirely free from the ills of imperialism, neo-colonialism, and attempts to divide the cause of Africa -our Africa- into squabbling factions.

That, my friends, is why we must act, why Nigeria and Biafra must come to an accord. Each and every one of us, I am certain, has a different idea of what must be done in the region, but we must put aside these differences. For if we do not, every bullet fired is a blow to our principles, a victory for those who would sow dissent amid our ranks. Every starving child is a crime against the African people, a hateful act that removes us from the principles of our organization -independence, self-determination, and Africa's inherent right to prosperity and peace- and forces us into the hands of those who view us as nothing more than pawns on a chessboard.

And so I motion the following, that if conflict must come to pass, it will not happen without every other being exhausted first, and in the most humane manner possible.

The Organization of African Unity,

Recognizing that the conflict in Biafra, entering its second year, is marred by methods of warfare that are illegal and inhumane,
Acknowledging that the Federal Military Government of Nigeria has concerns over the interference of foreign powers in the present conflict,
Affirming that the Organization of African Unity condemns colonialism in all forms, and seeks to limit foreign interference within the affairs of its member nations as much as possible
Realizing that without mediation, many more lives will be lost in the process of securing a peace for the Biafra region,

Supports the United Nations Security Council resolution on the conflict proposed by France, and all the actions and statements involved;
Declares our intention to send a delegation alongside observers of the United Nations Secretary-General, should that resolution be passed;
Further declares our support for mediation efforts, as well as our intention to be involved in the mediation process;
Requests permission from the Federal Military Government of Nigeria to reopen lanes of traffic for humanitarian aid, supervised by civilian observers from African nations;
Calls upon the international community to support the efforts of the United Nations and Organization of African Unity in peacefully resolving the conflict.