What we've seen is largely "window dressing," IMO, Walldog. Of real importance is what appears to be taking place behind closed doors. We've heard/seen very little about talks reportedly under way between Govt and MEND.
Check out this exerpt from Aug.7 (NG) Guardian:
"MEND spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, in an online interview with The Guardian, said the militants' negotiators with the government were making progress.
"He said MEND had placed the root issues to be addressed on the table as critical components that could make the exercise a success or another merry-go-round. According to him, "the amnesty is like the power supply situation in Nigeria since the 1960s. It is very difficult to predict which way it will go."
"Gbomo, who denied a division in MEND, insisted that "from the beginning, we have made it clear that it is an individual choice to accept or reject the amnesty offer and we will not stand in the way of those who wish to go and be settled by government since they form the minority. That cannot be said to be a division but a separation of the wheat from the chaff."
"Asked if MEND was concerned that the amnesty might be a ploy to lure the militants out of the creeks, he said the group does not think so since the international community was watching."
Walldog, if these negotiations are successful, the door could be open to a very different dynamic in the NG Delta. I'm anxious to learn the outcome.
A good day to you and all,
HP
