Nigeria - Mend hostilities resumed

Mend fighters promise new oil industry attacks

Article published on the 2009-10-16 Latest update 2009-10-16 09:37 TU

Nigerian president Umaru Yar'Adua faces new problems with the end of the Mend ceasefire
(Photo: AFP)

Rebels in the Niger Delta have announced an end to their 90-day ceasefire, saying they are preparing to resume attacks against the oil industry and military forces.

"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) resumes its hostilities against the Nigerian oil industry, the Nigerian armed forces and its collaborators with effect from 00:00Hrs, Friday, October 16, 2009," it said in an email statement.

"In this next phase, we will burn down all attacked installations and no longer limit our attacks to the destruction of pipelines."

The Mend, which is a disparate umbrella grouping, ordered a ceasefire in July to allow for possible talks with President Umaru Yar'Adua's government but no formal talks were held.

A month ago it decided to extend the ceasefire for 30 days in order to give the government more time for talks.

The group rejected a government amnesty offer describing it as a "charade", saying it failed to address the key issues of under-development and injustice in the Niger Delta.

The authorities say, however, that more than 8,000 fighters laid down their arms and accepted the amnesty offer which ran from 6 August to 4 October.

There is uncertainty as to who is actually taking charge of Mend after three key commanders took advantage of the amnesty. Government Tompolo, Ateke Tom and Farah Dagogo all surrendered their machine guns, rocket launchers and explosives.