Carter to Mediate in Nigeria?

The Niger Delta Rebel group MEND has promised to suspend attacks on US and European oil facilities in Nigeria if former American President Jimmy Carter mediates peace talks.

“President Carter represents transparency, impartiality, humility and integrity; four key ingredients critical in the mediator recipe towards ensuring a genuine and enduring peace process for the region,” said Jomo Gbomo from MEND.

“Carter would seriously consider undertaking a mission if he were formally invited by all relevant stakeholders in the Niger Delta conflict. In addition to MEND, this would include the federal government of Nigeria and others whose interests would have to be represented in such a negotiation,” said Carter Center Vice President John Stremlau. But so far the invitation has come only from MEND.

“Now the ball is in the court of the government,” said Gbomo.

For once the Nigerian government should not score an own goal and do something for the people of the Delta.