For our first journal entry, we’re able to show you footage taken by Stakeholder Democracy Network partners Kebetkatche - an alliance of women’s groups in the Niger Delta - who have begun marching through their villages and towns, calling for an end to violence that is killing more than 1500 people every year (according to Amnesty International.)

This segment is of preparations for the first procession, which was held on 10th March 2007…

The Kebetkatche women process through Tere Ama, Rivers State…

There is a sombre atmosphere, and no one is out on the streets. This is because a year ago local women held a similar peaceful protest, but two were identified as leaders and publicly threatened.

Local people were too scared to come outside, but bravely the Kebetkatche women came back this year. Fortunately there was no real trouble this time round.

This sequence also includes some singing from a second peace rally held in Emohua on 9th April.

Now compare the mood in March & April with this footage from 21st July. A huge procession of women take over the streets of Bodo in Ogoni. For several years Bodo has been the scene of a bloody & bitter feud between rival cult groups. That calls for non-violence are heard on the streets of Bodo at all is evidence that there is a real public mood wanting an end to the killing in the Niger Delta, and the start of a peaceful movement for permanent change.