Does Biafra’s Registration With The U.S. Justice Department Implies It Is Recognised As A Sovereign Nation?
A post on X claims that the United States of Biafra is being recognised as a sovereign nation due to their registration status with the United States of America’s Department of Justice of the
The post which was made on February 20, 2025, by the X self-proclaimed deputy prime minister of the United States of Biafra, has the caption: “Breaking:Department of Justice registers and recognises United States of Biafra as a Foreign Nation with its cabinet members We are no longer an agent or organisation. We are a Nation with all the laws protecting a Nation @UN @realDonaldTrump @MELANIATRUMP @cnnbrk @BBCBreaking @amnestyusa @alexstubb @yleuutiset @HQNigerianArmy @DefenceInfoNG @GEJonathan @MobilePunch @Europarl_EN @_AfricanUnion
As of the time this report was published, the post had been seen by about 12,700 people. In the comment section, @Mykecube said, “Waoo, my DPM am so proud of you as you keep your head up, forward for ever, home sweet home…am going home, thank you my DPM..we move.” while @DeMacDon1 wrote, “Well done DPM. More grace and wisdom ahead to move Biafra nation to higher level amen 🙏”.
Similar claims were also found here, here and here.
VERIFICATION
The Foreign Agents Registration Act, FARA, is a United States law that requires individuals and entities acting as agents of foreign principals to register with the Department of Justice. Each registration is assigned a unique number.
FARA does not register the same agent twice for the same activity. However, if an agent engages in multiple separate activities for different foreign principals, they may need to submit multiple registrations—one for each foreign principal they represent. Each registration includes details about the agent’s relationship with the foreign principal, the nature of the work, and financial arrangements. If a previously registered agent takes on a new foreign principal, they must file an additional registration. However, an agent does not need to register twice for the same activity with the same foreign principal unless there is a material change in their representation that requires an update.
A look through FARA’s website revealed three names linked to Biafra, registered within the last three years. Looking at the certified copy of the registration of Biafra filed in 2023, it was noticed that the foreign principal registration happened on June 20, 2024 with a different registration number and details different from the one shared on X by Ngozi Orabueze. It should be noted that FADA does not register the same agent twice, unless you changed name to register which is the case with Biafra as seen in the picture above.
(Certified Copy Of Registration from 2024)
In June 2024, the Department registered the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE) as an entity under FARA. This registration allows BRGIE to legally operate within the U.S. It is important to note that such registration does not equate formal diplomatic recognition of sovereignty by the U.S. government. The BRGIE has established various governmental structures, including a Ministry of Justice, which outlines its responsibilities and vision on its official website. In February 2025, another FARA registration was filed for ‘United states of Biafra-Biafra Republic Government in Exile-Defacto’ which is entirely different from the one on record with a foreign principal registration.
(Certified Copy Of Registration from 2025)
Does This Registration Imply That Biafra Is Recognised As A Sovereign Nation?
It should be noted that for a separatist movement to become a sovereign nation, it would typically be required to control its Territory, which involves effective governance over a defined area, the Declaration of Independence which is a formal claim of sovereignty and international recognition, implying that it is accepted as a sovereign state by other countries and organisations like the UN.
Biafra is yet to satisfy the aforementioned criterias as it still listed Nigeria as the region it is representing in its form to FARA. Also, FARA registration simply means the U.S. government is tracking the group’s lobbying or advocacy efforts, not that it acknowledges Biafra as a country.
CONCLUSION
The claim that the United States of Biafra is now a sovereign nation because of its registration with the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, FARA, is MISLEADING. Registration with FARA is required for its operation in the states and it helps the U.S government track the activity of the group. Additionally territory control, declaration of independence and recognition by the United Nations are key requirements to be considered a sovereign nation and the Biafra group does not meet any of these criterias.
