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MEND Says
Jimmy Carter Offers to Mediate the Delta Crises in Nigeria
05-08-2008
The
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said former US President
Jimmy Carter had offered to mediate in the worsening crisis in Nigeria's
oil-producing Niger Delta region.
It therefore urged the Nigerian government to take advantage of the offer to end
the crisis which has helped push up world oil prices.
In a statement e-mailed to journalists, MEND said it had ``received...a
confirmation from The Carter Centre through its Vice President, Mr. John
Stremlau, that the former President of the United States of America, Jimmy
Carter, has graciously accepted to mediate in the Niger Delta crisis on the
condition that the Nigerian government and any other relevant stakeholders
invite him.''
``For a government that talked so much about a peaceful resolution to the Niger
Delta problem, President Carter's new initiative should be seen as a golden
opportunity for a peaceful resolution of the over 50 years of injustice
perpetrated against the peace loving people of the Niger Delta.
``We urge the Nigerian government to accept this olive branch offered by
President Carter in place of the jamboree called the Niger Delta Summit
scheduled for
Abuja. We do not believe the Abuja summit will achieve any meaningful goal and
have no interest in attending it,'' MEND said, in reference to a planned
conference on the crisis.
The group said it was ready to ''call off all hostilities and hold a temporary
ceasefire'' in honour of President Carter, should the Nigerian government accept
his (Carter's) initiative.
But it warned that if the government fails to accept Carter's offer to mediate
and also visit MEND leader Henry Okah, who is currently being tried in the
northern city of Jos on treason and terrorism charges, ''our actions will
continue to speak volumes beyond the Nigerian shores.''
``President Carter represents transparency, impartiality, and integrity; the key
ingredients critical in the mediator recipe towards ensuring a genuine and
enduring peace process for the region,'' MEND added.
It was the second time in a week that MEND would indicate its willingness to
observe a cease-fire.
The militant group said at the weekend it was considering an appeal for a
cessation of attacks on oil installations by US Senator Barrack Obama.
MEND, which is leading an armed campaign for a better deal for the impoverished
oil region, has vowed to cripple
Nigeria's ability to export oil.
Militants from the group have attacked several oil installations belonging to
Shell and other companies in recent times.
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