Despite Conflict, A Willingness to Engage

Despite stumbling at least twice over the last month- with a hastily withdrawn summit, and initially confused signals over the release of Asari Dokubo - the Federal Government has at least conveyed a clear message that it wishes to faces issues in the Niger Delta with urgency.

The response of militants with a partial ‘cease-fire’ – even if there may have been inducements - shows that engagement is still possible. Less militant (for now) groups and civil society have long hoped for a government that will also take their concerns seriously. The incoming government has the obvious advantage of coming to dialogue as a fresh player, who could engage all parties and foster more meaningful agreements than those crafted to date. Actions that result from these engagements - and the way in which they are conducted - are central to their success or failure. The transparency of interventions, involvement of communities and social groups will be as important as the selection of projects in determining local support for interventions.