Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIV, Africa

373. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ghana¹

Washington, February 22, 1967, 3:27 p.m.

142128. Ref: Accra’s 2350.² Nigerian Crisis.

1. Other pertinent messages between Lagos and Department being repeated septels FYI.

2. Department concurs in assessment contained paras. 1 and 2 Lagos 6143³ and is deeply concerned at rumors of resort to force by either side. First reports of Benin meeting of secretaries to MilGovs are encouraging, but we believe Nigerian situation still extremely dangerous. Dept therefore welcomes apparent Ghanaian initiative reported Lagos 6334.⁴

3. Department and Embassy Lagos strongly concur in British view that Ankrah is key figure who should be encouraged take lead in efforts mediate Nigerian dispute. These efforts apparently already underway although we uncertain of their scope and results.

4. Department agrees that we should defer any new initiative re African leaders pending more detailed report of Benin meeting and possible new meeting of SMC (para 2, London 6788).⁵ Instead of making specific proposal to Ankrah at this time, therefore, request you outline to him our concern and probe for NLC view of Nigerian situation. You should stress that we believe Ankrah might again be instrumental in reducing Nigerian tensions and encourage him to continue his efforts. Despite our own concern, we recognize Ankrah’s special knowledge of situation and his earlier helpful intervention make him most logical choice to play useful role. We would of course discreetly support his efforts but would prefer remain in background.⁶

5. Presume you keeping UKHICOM fully informed.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 NIGERIA. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted by Robert Smith in AF/AFW, cleared in substance for EUR by Country Director for Canada Rufus Z. Smith, and approved by Trimble. Repeated to Lagos and London.
2. Telegram 2350 from Accra, February 22, stated that Ankrah would not wish to take sides in the Nigerian dispute but was eager to be helpful as a mediator. (Ibid.)
3. Document 371.
4. Dated February 21. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 NIGERIA)
5. Dated February 21. (Ibid.)
6. Telegram 2359 from Accra, February 23, reported a conversation that day between Ambassador Williams and General Ankrah, in which the latter expressed confidence that civil war could be avoided. Ankrah stated that he was sending letters to all the military governors asking for their adherence to the Aburi agreements. (Ibid.) The Aburi agreements were made on January 4 and 5 by the members of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) at their meeting in Aburi, Ghana, the first such meeting attended by Eastern Military Governor Ojukwu since July 29. The four Military Governors (East, North, West, and Mid-West Regions) and Gowon were considered the principal members of the SMC, which also included the Navy Commodore, the Police Inspector General, and the Lagos Administrator.