France, under Charles De Gaulle, (while never recognizing Biafra) covertly funneled $30M in military arms to Biafra through former colonies (Ivory Coast & Gabon) and via Portuguese Sao Tome. De Gaulle called Biafra a “just and noble cause”, but France’s true motivation was also to diversify oil streams after Egypt’s closing of the Suez. The French oil firm ERAP was already operating in the Niger Delta before Biafran secession. So if Biafra won, the French firm could be first in line for Biafran oil concessions due to French aid.