U.S. Justice Department Exposes Biafra Lobby Network
Recently uncovered documents from the United States Department of Justice have revealed that a coordinated network of pro-Biafra organizations is driving the campaign about Christian genocide in Nigeria. This development has prompted former President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), marking a significant escalation in international pressure.
Political Connections and Campaign Strategy
The filings submitted under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) connect this campaign to the United States of Biafra organization, which includes both the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) and the Biafra De Facto Government in the Homeland. These documents represent the first concrete evidence showing how diaspora-driven separatist advocacy, heavily amplified through social media platforms, is being systematically organized, funded, and positioned as a foreign policy matter within American politics.
According to the disclosure reviewed by The Guardian, BRGIE's representative, Moran Global Strategies (MGS) led by former U.S. Congressman Jim Moran, has established connections with the office of Senator Ted Cruz. The relationship culminated in a joint declaration signed in Lahti, Finland, on December 2, 2024, where both entities asserted that Nigeria is engaged in what they termed a genocidal onslaught against Biafrans and Christians.
Among the signatories was Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen identified as the group's prime minister, who has since been sentenced to six years imprisonment in Finland for multiple offenses including participation in terrorist organization activities, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.
Broader Implications and Expert Warnings
The campaign's messaging appears specifically tailored for American political audiences, particularly conservative groups and individuals aligned with Trump. The documents argue that supporting Biafra would help counter China's influence in Africa while protecting Christians who are allegedly under siege.
Security analysts have expressed concern that such campaigns, when framed around religious persecution and genocide allegations, can significantly increase ethnic tensions within Nigeria and shape international perceptions based on selective or unverified narratives. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized during a Channels TV appearance that genocide charges could severely damage Nigeria's global reputation and diplomatic relationships with the United States.
The FARA documents include extensive ideological statements outlining the group's grievances, citing historical violence, political exclusion, and cultural conflicts in Nigeria. The movement claims that following an internal vote conducted from February 1 to November 28, 2024, they have declared the Restoration of the Independence of the United States of Biafra, asserting control over what they describe as 40 confederating states.
