MEND, a group of Nigerian militants responsible for recently kidnapping then releasing oil workers, has released a statement responding to the Nigerian government's announcement of a committee to study economic development in the Niger Delta. The meeting had been boycotted by activists. MEND's statement reads in part:
"The religion of the movement of the emancipation of the Niger delta region had examined the extremities of the constituencies of the conspiracies of political genocide orchestrated by the pallid poultry strategies of the Obasanjo Republic of Nigeria, as he, Mr President deems it timely to model a weapon of mass presidential madness in the Aso-Rock veto around the adoption of a committee of socio-economic development of coastal states, a precondition perfected to further castrate the abandoned Niger Delta people to live as celebrated pawns in delirious chess board of one paranoiac national emperor of the Nigerian people."
"It would definitely call for a surprise party in the room of public opinion why MEND saw it timely to step into the socio-economic turbulence surrounding the political determination of Nigeria and the foreboding tale it portends for the Niger Delta child in relation to the hasty gimmicks and cheap political archery brandished by Mr President in his inexpensive rationale to re-evaluate, redefine, refocus and render restitution to the fifty-year-old institutions of calumny yoked on the silence of the Niger Delta people."
Transparency International lists Nigeria as the worlds sixth most corrupt country and a recent audit shows disappearing tax revenues. I surmise that Niger Delta activists want action and reform, not a "committee to study. . ." MEND's demands include compensation for environmental damage to their region from a 1998 Exxon spill , release of political prisoners such as Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, and a greater share of oil wealth derived from their land. Btw, Exxon still has not paid punative damages from the Valdez spill in Prince William Sound in 1989. Shell is the most active oil company in the Niger Delta region along with Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Total and Agip. One hopes that the rebel movement achieves their aims with minimal violence and is not co-opted as a vehicle for new corrupt leaders to replace the old ones. BBC has a photo essay of the rebels and wikipedia has an entry on Niger Delta Conflicts.
ACTION: Write your Senators asking them to pressure the Nigerian government to fight corruption and work for economic and environmental justice in the Niger Delta. Point out that along with our obligation to justice this is in our self-interest, since a just economy ensures a steady flow of oil, while the interruptions caused by corruption and conflict cause price spikes.
Crossposted at ifthenknots
I'm a Dkos environmentalist.