MEND's Audacity

The Federal Government is in a difficult situation, a tight corner to use a more common phrase. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has reportedly issued a statement extending its ceasefire by 30 days, to give more time for dialogue on the Niger Delta question, failing which it is resolved to resume hostilities against the Nigerian state. The amnesty period declared by the Nigerian government ends on October 4, after which the Federal Government says it would have no option but to wipe out all militants and their camps in the Niger Delta.

In the past month, the government has been busy celebrating the so-called laying down of arms and ammunitions by the militants, and the cross-carpeting of militants like Boyloaf and Young Shall Grow. But it doesn'require clairvoyancy to see that the amnesty programme is heading for failure. Collecting a few guns from militants does not in any way address or resolve the Niger Delta crisis.

The chest-beating in Aso Villa about the number of boys who have abandoned the Niger Delta struggle should be done with moderation. MEND's threat should not be taken lightly. Jomo Gbomo, MEND's spokesman says "MEND does not recognize an amnesty that has not made any provision for meaningful dialogue on the root issues that gave birth to the Niger Delta unrest in the first place. We have therefore resolved to continue fighting beacuse the reasons for fighting have not yet been addressed. The government should use this extension of time to do the right thing instead of pretending to talk peace while arming the military for a war it cannot win."

Given MEND's record, this is not an idle threat. In addition, Tompolo, another Niger Delta chieftain is insisting that the amnesty deal should run till March 2010. The Federal Government says no. Clearly we are back to sqaure one in the Niger Delta. The bigger challenge for the Yar'çdua government will come after the amnesty and ceasefire deadlines expire. It must begin to think of a more creative response to the crisis.

Robot  # 1 | 19.09.2009 23:17

...Read the full article.

Enyi  # 2 | 20.09.2009 05:41

I believe that FGN has been applying wrong solutions to the Niger Delta problem. First, PDP made Goodluck VP in the forlorn hope that this will solve the problem. It did not. Then it creates Niger Delta Ministry (I am not sure what the ministry would do that the state governments can not do if given the resources). The problem did not vamoose. Now it is amnesty. The fact remains that these are palliative or cosmetic cures. Unfortunately, a cancer is cured by radical and not palliative surgery. Indeed, palliative surgery is carried out when the cancer is regarded as incurable. One is therefore tempted to ask- does the FGN regard the Niger Delta problem as incurable? Destruction of the oil facilities will be a likely collateral damage of an all out military action. MEND knows this. Is FGN prepared for this? The injustice in the country often pushes people into asking the age-old question-is life in bondage better than death? Once there was Biafra which was defeated militarily. Now there is MEND. If FGN defeats MEND militarily, who knows the next group that will emerge. Let us not decieve ourselves. Dissatisfaction is rife in the country because of failure of governance. How long can we go on with military option as a means of conflict resolution? FGN should consider a different approach that will tackle the problem at its root. There is a need to re-examine the basic structure of our union. This requires a no-holds-barred conference of all ethnic nationalities that will examine our relationship with each other and arrive at a mutually acceptable structure for a lasting stability and peace. Dialogue is always a better option than war. It requires patience, diligence and a give and take spirit but its results are long lasting. Will FGN therefore consider a serious and purposeful dialogue of all ethnic groups instead of war against MEND?