(Nigeria 1969)

International Operation Name: not applicable

International Operation Dates:  not applicable

Mandating Organization: Government of Canada

Region Name: Africa

Location:  Nigeria

Canadian Operation Name: (Nigeria – 1969)

Canadian Operation Dates: 1969/10/27 – 1969/11/10

Mission Mandate:

To provide a ship that could be used as a neutral location for peace talk between the Government of Nigeria and the secessionist leaders.

Mission Notes:

By October 1969 the civil war in Nigeria had been going for two years.  Various efforts had been made to end the conflict, all without success.  At the United Nations, the Canadian representative was approached about Canada providing a ship on which the negotiations could be held.  General Gowan of the Nigerian government had given his informal agreement.  The concept was that separate helicopters would pick up the leaders daily and fly them to a ship that would serve as neutral setting, remaining outside Nigeria territorial waters.

On 27 October, a message to this effect was sent from New York to External Affairs in Ottawa.  This was brought to the attention of the Chief of the Defence Staff who agreed to the proposal.  The Minister of National Defence approved the concept on 10 November.  The ship would be either HMCS PROVIDER, PROTECTOR or CAPE SCOTT, or possibility two or more destroyers.  At least three helicopters would also be needed.

Although the plan was approved, it is unknown what further steps were taken in planning for this mission.  It is also unknown what caused the mission to be cancelled.