The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has been receiving calls
and emails from well wishers from around the world wanting to know our response to
the proclamation of amnesty by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on
June 25, 2009.

Our response as been not to comment on it officially because from all indications,
it is not directed at freedom fighters which MEND is a part of . The proclamation of
amnesty seems to be directed at criminals such as armed robbers, rapists, kidnappers
seeking for ransom etc.

Since criminals exist all over Nigeria, it is not fair to direct such a magnanimous
offer to their counterparts in the Niger Delta region alone.

If the proclamation was directed at freedom fighters with a cause, it would have
addressed the root issues such as a genuine unconditional release of Henry Okah and
others, true federalism, federal character in political appointments, investigations
of JTF extra-judicial killings, troop withdrawal time table, displaced civilians,
reconstruction of their sacked villages and their rehabilitation.

On behalf of our commanders Farah Dagogo and Boyloaf, they want to dissociate
themselves from the purported proposal by one lawyer, Mr Ikenna Enekweizu parading
himself as their representative over an amnesty offer that is not even directed at
them.

Jomo Gbomo