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Peace Building

The situation in the Niger Delta is causing grave international concern. The conflict that has significantly worsened since the beginning of 2006 is threatening the stability of Nigeria, the development of West Africa and world energy security. The emergence of a more prominent militant group MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) has significantly worsened the situation. Intensified kidnappings of foreign oil workers and attacks on the oil industry cut down oil production by nearly 30 per cent. The disenfranchisement that accompanied the rigging of the elections in April 2007 has further polarized society and heightened tensions in the region.

The army of the 'dispossessed,' or the unemployed, disillusioned and easily manipulated youth are the central actors of this conflict and a threat to stability of the Niger Delta. There is a steadily increasing number of youths involved in activities that include kidnapping, rigging elections, oil bunkering and small arms importation. While there is a political theme to some groups, there are also examples of cynical exploitation of a destabilized region. The conflict is being driven by decades of unequal resource distribution, corruption, underdevelopment, unemployment and poverty. These issues combined to create a complex and multi-faceted conflict dynamics that will not be solved through one avenue alone. The conflict is at a critical juncture where it is extremely difficult to draw a clear line between its parties: state actors, oil companies and an array of non-state actors: militia groups, gangs, cults, armed robbers and their supporters and opponents. Violence pays in the Niger Delta and is believed to be the only way to be listened to for those who have nothing to lose.

Only civil society actors can reverse the current violent trends in the Niger Delta society. The positive elements in the Niger Delta, community groups and civil society actors, must be supported and empowered to make stronger and clearer grassroots interventions. Non-violent actors should be able to take the lead of the peace agenda and become a force for transformative change.

SDN supports their efforts at the creation of a holistic civil society driven agenda for the non-violent resolution to the growing conflict in the Niger Delta.

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