Events in the last three decades seem to indicate that the international community prefers post-conflict mediation and reconstruction, rather than crisis prevention. This appears to be the case especially by western governments. On the surface at least, instead of investing in crisis prevention, governments and institutions hedge their bets, measure domestic pulses, and engage in endless debates and diplomatic niceties insofar as a looming disaster is concerned.
MEND
Niger Delta: The Complexities of the Post-Amnesty Environment (part 1)
According to the United Nations, “the collapse of state authority, erosion of basic services, marginalization and exclusion of youth and women and endemic poverty over several decades were significant contributing factors to Sierra Leone's decade of war” which lasted from1991 until 2002.
Nigerian Militants Vow to Resume Attacks Next Week
Nigerian Militants Vow to Resume Attacks Next Week
Filed at 7:22 a.m. ET
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) -- Nigeria's main militant group vowed to resume attacks after a cease-fire expires next week, while the government said Thursday that more than 8,000 militants had disarmed as part of an amnesty program.
Nigeria: Disarmament - Militants Name Soyinka, Akhigbe, Others Mediators
Lagos/Abuja — Wole Soyinka was on Tuesday named by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) among those to negotiate with Abuja on disarmament, bringing credibility to the process, as well as hope of a lasting peace in the Deep South.
Others in the 'Aaron Team,' as the MEND puts it, are Mike Akhigbe, Luke Kakadu Aprezi, and Sabella Ogbobode Abidde, as well as Annkio Briggs who will liaise on its behalf with these personalities who have volunteered to ensure a just resolution of the Niger Delta question.
Nigerian delta militant group names mediation team
LAGOS (Reuters) - The main militant group in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta on Tuesday named a team of mediators to negotiate with the government over disarmament but said the amnesty process "lacked integrity".
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) named a team including Nobel Prize-winning writer Wole Soyinka and two retired senior military officials who it said had volunteered to act as mediators on its behalf.
Nigeria: No Mercy for Militants After October 4 - Federal Government
Lagos/Warri/Asaba — Seven days to the deadline for militants to drop their arms and accept amnesty, Abuja at the weekend warned that none would be treated with mercy after October 4.
Defence Minister and Amnesty Panel Chairman, Godwin Abbe, has reportedly foreclosed extending the deadline, as requested by some militant leaders.
A source in Aso Rock said unrepentant militants would be treated like criminals once the amnesty expires.
Nigeria braces for push against oil rebels
United Press International
Nigeria braces for push against oil rebels
Published: Sept. 11, 2009 at 12:01 PM
As the mid-September deadline for a cease-fire in Nigeria's oil war approaches with no sign of a mass surrender by rebels who have shattered the country's oil production, President Umaru Yar'Adua is preparing for an all-out army offensive, according to published reports.
Earlier offensives failed to crush the rebels, but this time Yar'Adua will have Israeli warships and trainers to help his forces operate in the swampy Niger Delta.
Nigerian Government Preparing for Imminent Military Offensive in the Delta
There is mounting evidence that the government of Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’adua is set to launch a full-scale offensive in the Niger Delta when a ceasefire declared by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) ends on 15 Sep 2009.
And this time, Nigerian military forces will be using special warships, helicopter gunships and troop transports, and unmanned drone intelligence planes and ships sold to Nigeria by Israeli, Malaysian, Singaporean, Dutch, and Russian companies.
Chemical Tanker Crew Seized
For disregarding our warning to oil, gas and chemical tankers to keep away from the
Niger Delta waters, six crew members from the chemical tanker, Siehem Peace were
seized about 20 nautical miles from Escravos on Sunday, July 5, 2009 by the
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and will be held until
further notice.
Their arrest is meant to serve as a warning to others that there are root issues
that have to be resolved with the Nigerian government before normalcy can resume
such as the return of displaced civilians to their ancestral home, compensation for
Temporary Ceasefire
Effective, 0000 Hrs, Wednesday, July 15, 2009, the Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger Delta (MEND) will be observing a temporary ceasefire for a 60 day period.
Several factors necessitated our decision; chiefly the release of Mr. Henry Okah
from government custody.
During this period, the Aaron team of wise men and women will be put together after
consultations with relevant stakeholders. They will speak on our behalf and
convey our demands to government.
A compulsory prelude to talks is the withdrawal of the military Joint Task Forces
