Amidst various interpretations given to the Federal Government’s amnesty granted repentant militants in Nigeria, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, has stated its readiness to negotiate with the government, but it has to be at the right time.
According to a statement from the body’s spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, the present amnesty offered by President Musa Yar’Adua smirks of an intent to set confusion among the militants.
“MEND will negotiate as a group when the right time comes. The impression government its trying to give, that commanders are negotiating independently, is another pro agenda aimed at causing confusion,” he said.
Gbomo said the amnesty is for “ repentant criminals”, hoping that after the criminals have been separated from the real militants, the government would begin genuine multilateral peace process.
This, he continued, would involve the international community and every stakeholders to address the agitation of the region, such as fiscal federalism.
“ If successful, the ongoing amnesty exercise directed at repentant criminals in the Niger Delta region, will, no doubt, create an enabling environment for dealing with the Niger Delta question, which freedom-fighting groups, such as MEND, are waging.
“It will separate the wheat from the chaff and allow government to focus on the root issues instead of tying militancy to criminality as an excuse for not addressing the grievances of the Niger Delta people, the statement said.
MEND also alleged that the government was not sincere in releasing detained Henry Okah, saying that otherwise they would not have released Edward Attah, who was arrested with Okah in Angola, and still hold onto Okah.
Meanwhile, there seem to be division among some militant leaders, while some have said that they want talks with President Yar’Adua to work out details of the amnesty, MEND has publicly dismissed the amnesty offer, seeing it instead as an opportunity to distinguish itself from criminals.
“MEND will negotiate as a group when the right time comes… only those who are willing to sell their birthright for a bowl of porridge will accept, while the rest of us will continue the struggle until justice is achieved, the statement concluded.