Justice In Nigeria Now

On Sunday, several of the Niger Delta’s prominent militants agreed to the Nigerian government’s offer of amnesty at the 11th hour before the deadline on October 4th.   However, it’s unclear if this is a step toward peace in the Delta or just another failed attempt of the government to gain back control of the oil producing states.  The situation is still tenuous and nothing of substance has been negotiated.  Here are a few perspectives:

From The Vanguard (Nigeria Newspaper):

AMNESTY ENDS: Uncertainty persists

Hector Igbikiowubo
MORE than 90 days after the amnesty package for militants in the Niger Delta came to a close, an air of uncertainty persist over the effectiveness of the initiative, especially against the backdrop of threats by the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to call off its cease-fire and reports that government has been busy acquiring fast attack helicopters and flat bed speed boats for a final showdown with militants.  Read Full Article

From the BBC:

Will amnesty bring peace to the Niger Delta?

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Kerry Statement on Need to Protect Civilians in the Niger Delta

“The Niger Delta is home to massive oil reserves, but these resources have brought

Displaced women and children taking refuge at the relief camp at Ogbeh-Ijoh

more suffering than wealth to the people of the Delta through corruption, environmental destruction, and lack of development. Reports of growing civilian casualties and displacement in the latest clash between the government forces and armed groups are extremely disturbing. Civilian protection and humanitarian needs must be prioritized in the current offensive, and all parties to the conflict should engage in a process to bring an end to the widespread violence and criminality that have long plagued the region and to address the needs of the population.”

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U.S. Senator Russ Feingold issues statement on Niger Delta crisis and current attacks by Nigerian Military

May 22, 2009, Seattle – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today issued a statement on the nine-day, continuing Nigerian military offensive in the Niger Delta. Feingold expressed concern about civilian casualties and refugees, and called on the Nigerian government to address underlying causes of the crisis in the region. He also urged the Obama administration to enjoin a multilateral effort to help end the crisis. Feingold is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The attacks by the Joint Task Force (JTF) of the Nigerian military began May 13th. Unconfirmed reports put civilian casualty figures as high as 2,000 and the number of refugees as high as 20,000. It’s reported that at least five villages have been razed by the JTF. At last report, the region was blockaded by the Nigerian military and aid workers were unable to get food, water and medical assistance to the injured and displaced, many of whom have fled into the bush. Journalists and human rights groups have also been barred.

“We applaud Senator Feingold’s statement. It’s critical that high profile people speak out in this moment calling for an end to the violence and highlighting the tragic toll on civilians,” says Sandy Cioffi, filmmaker and director of Sweet Crude, a documentary about the Niger Delta currently screening at film festivals. “I am heartened by his understanding of what it will take to achieve peace in the region and encourage the U.S. government to get involved as he urges. I believe that can be very influential. The region is on the brink – we must pay attention before it devolves into full-scale war.”

“The military attacks in the Niger Delta are a tragedy for local villagers that is becoming a humanitarian crisis,” says Laura Livoti, founder of Justice in Nigeria Now (JINN). “I hope more U.S. officials will take the lead from Senator Feingold and work toward a negotiated peace settlement between all parties in Nigeria that promotes justice in the region. The United States is heavily dependent on Nigerian oil for its own energy needs, and a resolution to this crisis is in the long-term interest of the United States as well.”
Click Here for more information or go to  Sweet Crude
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Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold

On the Nigerian military’s ongoing offensive in the Niger Delta

“I am very concerned by reports that hundreds of civilians have been killed and potentially thousands displaced by the Nigerian military’s ongoing offensive in Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta region.  Some military actions may be justified to stop the criminality, kidnappings and killings by militants in the Niger Delta, but such measures should be accompanied by a larger political strategy.  Genuine peacemaking will require not only legitimate political negotiations but a convincing case for transforming the illicit war economy into one of peace.  The Nigerian government needs to undertake a serious and sustained initiative to address the underdevelopment of the region.  I urge the Obama administration to think creatively about how we can work multilaterally to help end this long-standing crisis in the Niger Delta.”

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Starting on May 13  several villages in the Niger Delta have been attacked by the Nigerian military under the guise of searching for militants.  Hundreds are feared dead and villages are being destroyed every day. On May 20 we learned that several villages have been razed: Opuye, Okerenkoro, Kurutie and Oporoza, where the film Sweet Crude was filmed, was razed by the Joint Task Force of the Nigerian Military. Through unspeakable heartbreak, the Sweet Crude crew and all who care about justice are continuing an all-out effort to get the U.S. government and international community to pay attention.

If you want to help, please send the below message or wording of your choosing to:

John Kerry, chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Or call the Committee Majority office at 202.224.4651

Or Senator Kerry at 202.224.2742.

If you know people of influence, please tell them what’s going on. They can contact  leslye@sweetcrudemovie.com  or sarah@JusticeInNigeriaNow.org.

You can also find resources at  sweetcrudemovie.com and on the JINN site

PLEASE consider helping — these people have no one who would be listened to standing up for them. Thousands are huddled in the bush, injured and scared, many now with no homes to go back to.

SAMPLE TEXT TO JOHN KERRY:
I am shocked and saddened to learn of the attacks on civilians in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian military. It is reported that as many as 2,000 people were killed and as many as 30,000 are now displaced refugees.

I urge you and your fellow U.S. lawmakers to speak out immediately to stop the current bombardment and hold the Nigerian government accountable for its authorization. I ask that you call for:

• An immediate cease fire
• Safe access into the area for humanitarian organizations and journalists – to assure the safety of the refugees, medical treatment for the injured, and an accurate assessment of the conditions and casualties
• An investigation into the attacks
• Action to pave the way for legitimate, third-party-monitored talks

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Late last week renewed violence broke out in the Niger Delta between the Nigerian Military – known as the Joint Task Force (JTF) and militant forces, some a part of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) as a result, innocent civilians have been killed and internally displaced.

Read the latest from the Nigerian newspaper the Vanguard: War in the creeks: Stop this carnage, say N-Delta leaders

Read the latest from Voice of America: Nigerian Civilians are Trapped As Army Takes on Rebels

Displaced women and children taking refuge at the relief camp at Ogbeh-Ijoh

JOINT STATEMENT ON DELTA CLASHES

SUNDAY, MAY 17 2009

Human rights and development organisations active in the Niger Delta have called for restraint on the part of the Nigerian military to prevent killing of civilians in communities close to clashes between the military and militants. The groups have also asked the military and militants to allow access for humanitarian groups to visit the communities.

“We have had tragic experiences in the very recent past when military actions of this nature have resulted in the destruction of whole communities and killing of many innocent people, as was the case with Odi and Odioma. The Nigerian political leadership should ensure that its armed forces understand the need to protect innocent citizens in the communities of the Niger Delta,” said Asume Osuoka of Social Action.

“The use of helicopter gunships against targets in  Okenkerenko, and by most accounts other villages, appears to be undisputable and has caused a mass evacuation of villagers in a creek environment where there are no safe options for refugees”, he said

There is no doubt that there are casualties from the current clashes who need urgent medical attention and there are thousands more who have fled their villages without adequate food or water.

We are calling on both the military and militants to allow free access for our local organisations and international groups such as the Red Cross, and Medicins Sans Frontiers without delay. This will ensure that aid is delivered where needed and end speculation over the level of casualties from the clashes over the past few days.

The military is claiming that it has acted responsibly and that civilians were not targeted in their operations. The best way for them to show the truth of this claim is to allow immediate access to Okekerenko, Oporoza and surrounding communities. We equally call on MEND to respect and support the need for villages to receive urgent assistance.

“There is need for immediate steps to reassure villagers that they can safely return to their communities before there are more deaths amongst the frail and young, who are the first casualties in such harsh conditions,” said Damka Pueba of Sustainable Peace Initiative

Signed

Asume Osuoka, Social Action (Chair, Gulf of Guinea Citizens Network) PH 0803 3099494

Patrick Naagbanton, Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development, Eleme, Rivers State

Damka Pueba, Sustainable Peace Initiative, PH

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