The purpose of this article is to analyse the relationship between France and the Republic of Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War. In particular, it focusses on Charles de Gaulle's strategic interests in West Africa. During the war, France refused to recognize Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu's regime. All the same, De Gaulle provided diplomatic and military support to the Igbo pro-independence movement through his main regional allies: Ivory Coast and Gabon.