Nigeria: Rebels declare permanent truce

  1. Posted on Tuesday 27 October 2009 - 09:00
    Murtala
    Image of Murtala
    Murtala Kamara Mohammed, AfricaNews reporter in Freetown, Sierra Leone
    The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta (MEND), the main militant group operating in Southern Nigeria has announced last weekend that they have declared an indefinite ceasefire following President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's meeting with Ex-militant leader Henry Okah in the West African nation.
    niger delta
    MEND spokesperson Jomo Gbomo said the Federal government had demonstrated their readiness to engage in meaningful discussion with every group towards achieving peace in that ‘trouble spot’ region.

    "On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, the Federal Government of Nigeria expressed its readiness to engage in serious and meaningful dialogue with every group or individual towards achieving a lasting peace in the Niger Delta.’’ Gbomo stated in his usual email statement to the media.

    He said further according to This Day newspaper that "This welcome shift in position conveyed to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) by Henry Okah after his meeting with President Yar'Adua on Monday, October 19, 2009 indicated the willingness of the government to negotiate with the MEND Aaron team.’’

    The statement went on "To encourage the process of dialogue between the government and the team that MEND has selected to negotiate its demands for a lasting peace in the Niger Delta region, an indefinite ceasefire has been ordered and takes effect from 0000Hrs, Sunday, October 25, 2009.’’

    MEND has been disturbing oil supplies in the most populace nation in Africa thereby disallowing the country to loose millions of dollars from its mineral wealth. The group argued that they are fighting for a ‘fair share’ of their country’s oil wealth but their tactics have faced widespread criticism in recent times.

    In a bid to bring stability to Southern Nigeria, President Yar’Adua declares a 60 days amnesty for militant who laid down their arms. The program was further extended for those who have not done so to do so. Militant from different rebel faction accepted the President offer.

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