Peace in the Niger Delta region appears to be on the horizon as the main militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has declared an indefinite ceasefire.
A statement yesterday by Jomo Gbomo, the group’s spokesperson, said the decision is as a result of the group’s negotiations with the Presidency.
According to him, the group’s leader, Henry Okah, after a series of meetings with the Federal Government, has conveyed a “welcome shift” message to the group, saying the government has expressed its readiness to engage in serious and meaningful dialogue with every group or individual towards achieving a lasting peace in the Niger Delta.
There is, however, a tone of ambivalence in the statement sent to NEXT by Gbomo, in declaring the ceasefire. The statement read “MEND will not disarm until the time is ripe. This means that we will be lurking in the shadows to monitor the dialogue which must be progressive.” It also declared emphatically that “We are not a part of the amnesty exercise because we see ourselves as unrepentant freedom fighters who have no reason to be apologetic for fighting a worthy and just cause.”
However, the group declared an indefinite ceasefire from October 25th (yesterday) to enhance the dialogue between the government and the Aaron Team, which the group has selected to negotiate MEND’s demand for peace in the oil-rich region.
MEND had previously threatened to resume hostilities against the Nigerian oil industry and the Nigerian armed forces on October 16,
2009 after the expiration of a 60-day ceasefire declared on July 15.
Negotiating with government
On when the negotiations will commence, Gbomo told NEXT in an email interaction that “that will have to be initiated by the government but we hope it will come as soon as possible before dialogue is seen as another delay tactics.”
The group had a few weeks ago named some individuals, which it called the Aaron Team to help negotiate with the Federal Government. Among those named are Mike Akhigbe, a former Chief of General Staff, and Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, among others.
On the details of the meeting between the President and Mr. Okah, Mr. Gbomo, quoting the group’s leader, told NEXT that “he said the meeting was held at the private residence of Mr. President and the atmosphere was warm and cordial. His impression (Mr. Okah’s) of the president was that of a man with a good heart surrounded by many bad advisers. The minister of defence who has been ranting and threatening was not at the meeting, so was the National Security Adviser; two men we associate with fuelling the crisis.
“The president wanted MEND to create an enabling environment for dialogue and peace and the government on their part was willing to engage in frank talks over the root issues that have led to the current unrest,” he added.
Ceasefire timeline
When NEXT sought to know the possible length of the new ceasefire, MEND stated that “we have offered an indefinite ceasefire as a show of good faith and expect the government will reciprocate by being sincere in using dialogue as a tool for advancing peace and justice instead of using it to prolong the ceasefire.” The group warned that “the dialogue does not have to last for more than 12 months to conclude”. It also announced the withdrawal of Annkio Briggs from the Aaron Team.
The exit of Ms Briggs is by mutual consent, according to the statement, adding, “She was not dropped but was excused to deal with some personal and numerous activities which may mean a huge sacrifice on her part to belong to the Aaron Team.” Ms Briggs was the liaison officer for the Aaron Team. She has been replaced by Amagbe Denzel Kentebe.
Other members of the team announced in September by the group apart from Messrs Akhigbe and Soyinka, are Luke Kakadu Aprezi and Sabella Ogbobode Abidde.
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