The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has declared that it is ending its fight against the Federal Government in response to President Goodluck Jonathan appeal.
The President had yesterday during his ‘Democracy Day’ speech, told all warring groups that its door is open for dialogue and reconciliation, if they stop the violent ways and embrace peace.
MEND today responded and said they will take the Presidents offer to show they are ready to converse with the Government. They asked GEJ to demonstrate his sincerity by suspending court proceedings and end all charges against their members who are awaiting trial and give pardon to the Okah brothers, Henry and Charles and others.
MEND said in a statement: “Instead of addressing our concerns and dialogue on the root issues that led us to take up arms, your government, based on bad advisers, arrogantly jettisoned dialogue with our negotiation delegates, the Aaron Team in 2009, arrested and incarcerated perceived critiques.”
They revealed this was the reason why they picked up arms and the Independence Day attack of October 01, 2010.
MEND said they regretted that lives were lost on that day, even after they warned Nigerian security officials well before the attack.
MEND explained also that even though they will like to support their own, its fight has never been about a Niger Delta President or 2015, but they are worried about the year 2060, when its projected that the oil will run dry, the group is looking to protect the future of the generation yet unborn.
They continued: “We hold you to your words, as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) declare a ceasefire effective 0700Hrs, Friday 30 May, 2014 by calling off our ‘Hurricane Exodus’ campaign and other acts of sabotage; especially our incessant attacks on gas and oil pipelines, erroneously or mischievously attributed to oil thieves,”.
