Not too many people are familiar with the mini-war brewing in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. This war is mostly between the Nigerian government and a coalition of local militias collectively known as MEND.
Here’s the basics behind the conflict.
This part of Nigeria is rich in oil. Nigeria has been exporting oil from the Niger Delta since it gained independence from Britain about 50 years ago.
The local militias claim the region does not benefit from this oil production. In fact, they claim, they are actually being hurt by the development. Foreign multi-national corporations come to the region, destroy the land, increase pollution, and displace families.
And little, if any, of the profits from the oil production ever finds its way back to the people of the Niger Delta.
Nigeria's Niger Delta Region and Port Harcourt
I’m not Nigeria so I can’t verify the truth of these claims. But taking a look at some satellite images, videos, and pictures of Port Harcourt, one of the cities of the Niger Delta, I think the rebels may have a point.
MEND has launched several attacks against the Nigerian government and foreign oil company’s interests in the delta. MEND has a very unique and advanced method of attack that makes defense against them and preparation for the next one, nearly impossible.
There has been a tentative peace between MEND and the Nigerian government, but many say that’s about to end soon. The Nigerian government has taken some steps in improving relations with the militias by offering amnesty and rehabilition to captured militants, and releasing some MEND prisoners.
Now, I by no means support armed revolution or rebellion against any government. But it seems the Nigerian government is missing the point. It appears to me that the people of the Niger Delta simply want a larger piece of the pie.
Perhaps Nigeria has taken steps to address that issue, but evidently it’s not enough. I mean, really, look at the pictures of these Port Harcourt slums. This place is horrible.
In my unwarranted opinion, the government should renegotiate their deals with Shell and other petrol companies. Then, assuming corruption in Nigeria is negligable (an admittedly naive assumption), the government should begin massive development projects in these areas using oil profits.
Inshallah, this will create better Nigerian citizens, instill more patriotism in the locals, and hopefully, remove much of the reason for MEND fighting.
Sounds like a simple plan to me. But of course, nothing is ever as simple as it sounds.
Listening to this report on the situation, we can see why it won’t be so simple.
