NIGERIA – Nigeria’s most prominent militant group has declared a 60-day ceasefire in its offensive against Africa’s biggest oil industry to provide a chance for peace talks with the government.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), responsible for attacks that have cut around 300,000 barrels per day of Nigeria’s oil output since May, said its decision was also a goodwill gesture for the release of rebel leader Henry Okah on Monday.
Col Rabe Abubakar, spokesman for the military, welcomed the announcement and said the army would maintain its ceasefire during the government’s amnesty period.
The ceasefire had little impact on global oil prices, as traders were sceptical that peace could be restored in the Niger Delta after years of conflict.
Reflecting the fragility of the ceasefire, Mend threatened yesterday to resume its offensive after it said seven navy gunboats were headed to one of its camps.
But the military denied any attack plans.
Mend has demanded that the military withdraw from certain areas of the Niger Delta before negotiations could begin.
Analysts said any peace talks will be difficult, because Niger Delta militants will demand the federal government’s property rights to land where oil firms are currently operating.
But the government relies on Niger Delta oil income for more than 90 per cent of its revenues, and splits the oil profits with the 36 Nigerian states.
Mend’s attacks have forced Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron and Italy’s Agip to cut around 300,000 barrels per day in the last six weeks and has helped support global oil prices.
President Umaru Yar’Adua has offered a 60-day amnesty programme to all gunmen in the Niger Delta in hopes of halting the violence.
Okah was the first senior militant to accept clemency, and was released after being in detention for more than a year.
He said he did not think other militants would take the amnesty. – (Reuters)