Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lagos (Agenzia Fides) – An unprecedented attack and the release from prison of a leader of the guerrillas have marked the last two days of difficult negotiations between the Nigerian government and rebels of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), fighting for an improved distribution of oil profits from the southern region of Nigeria.
On the evening of July 12, the guerrillas of MEND attacked the area surrounding the Niger Delta, attacking a port in Atlas Cove in the Lagos Bay, the economic capital of Nigeria which is located over 600 kilometers northwest of Port Harcourt, the main petrol center in the country and the main city in the Niger Delta. The attack claimed the lives of 5 workers who were working on the wharf used for unloading refined oil products destined for the internal market (Nigeria exports crude oil, but must import a large part of its derivatives, as it does not have enough refineries to meet national demand). The installations of Atlas Cove, which are considered strategic for Nigeria's economy, have suffered several damages.
Within hours of the attack on Atlas Cove, the Nigerian authorities released Henry Okah, the MEND's spokesman, and perhaps one of its leading members. A judge dismissed him after he had faced accusations of arms trafficking and high treason, for which he was arrested in November 2007 in Angola, later being extradited to Nigeria in March 2008. Okah accepted the amnesty offered by President Umaru Yar'Adua to all the MEND soldiers who were to lay down there arms by Octover. The amnesty (ceasefire included) was supposed to last August 6-October 4 and would be granted to all the rebels who surrendered their arms during that time period.
In a statement, the MEND calls Okah's release “a step towards peace,” adding that they hope to continue dialogue with the Nigerian government. According to international observers, the attack which has been described as “unprecedented” at the oil station in Lagos is a means of placing pressure on the federal government and raising their place in the negotiations for peace, which now seems a real possibility.
The MEND's attacks on the oil stations in the Delta area have seriously damaged the Nigerian oil exports. It is estimated that Nigerian oil production has suffered a loss of 300,000 barrels per day as a result of the guerrilla activity. The sabotage carried out by the MEND on the gas ducts in the region have also blocked the plan to produce 6,000 megawatts of electricity with the gas from the Niger Delta by December. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/7/2009)
