During the Civil War, the major power that expressed moral support for Biafra's self- determination was ......

Analyze the question: The question asks which major power gave moral (diplomatic and sympathetic) support to Biafra's self-determination during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970).

Explain the concept: During the war, foreign powers took sides according to their own interests:

• Great Britain and the Soviet Union supported the Federal Government of Nigeria. Britain supplied arms and diplomatic backing. The USSR supplied aircraft such as MiG fighters and Ilyushin bombers.
• The United States officially stayed neutral. It regarded the war as a British/Nigerian affair and gave mostly humanitarian relief.
• China gave some rhetorical support to Biafra, mainly because it opposed both the USSR and the West. However, it is not usually listed as a major supporter.
• France, under President Charles de Gaulle, was the major power that sympathised with Biafra. It backed Biafra's right to self-determination, supplied arms covertly (often through Gabon and Côte d'Ivoire), and offered diplomatic sympathy. Part of the motive was to weaken Nigeria, which was seen as a rival in West Africa and a strong Anglophone neighbour to Francophone states.

Solution:

1. Eliminate Great Britain (A): it backed the Federal Government.
2. Eliminate the United States (D): it was officially neutral.
3. China (B) gave only limited rhetorical backing, so it is not the standard answer.
4. France (C): it publicly voiced sympathy for Biafra's self-determination, and de Gaulle's government is the one recognised in the textbooks for this.

Answer: C. France

Tip: Remember the pairing "Britain + USSR = Nigeria; France = Biafra." Also note that the Francophone countries Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, as well as Tanzania and Zambia, recognised Biafra. France is the major power that gave moral support. Exam questions often test this contrast.