Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LAGOS371
2009-09-30 21:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
NIGER DELTA: NO EXTENSION OF AMNESTY DEADLINE;
how-toVZCZCXRO8472 OO RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0371 2732124 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 302124Z SEP 09 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0960 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0545 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK RHMFISS/COMUSNAVEUR NAPLES IT
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000371
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2019
TAGS: PGOV KCOR KCRM NI
SUBJECT: NIGER DELTA: NO EXTENSION OF AMNESTY DEADLINE;
MEND SPLIT
REF: A. ABUJA 1669
B. LAGOS 369
C. LAGOS 362
D. LAGOS 356
E. LAGOS 348
F. LAGOS 345
Classified By: A/Consul General Richard Walsh, Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000371
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2019
TAGS: PGOV KCOR KCRM NI
SUBJECT: NIGER DELTA: NO EXTENSION OF AMNESTY DEADLINE;
MEND SPLIT
REF: A. ABUJA 1669
¶B. LAGOS 369
¶C. LAGOS 362
¶D. LAGOS 356
¶E. LAGOS 348
¶F. LAGOS 345
Classified By: A/Consul General Richard Walsh, Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
¶1. (C) Contacts linked to key militant leader "Tom Polo"
have reported to us independently that Tom Polo is not ready
to surrender until he receives credible assurances from the
GON on economic development in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, his
home base and scene of a military offensive in May. To this
end he and others, who claim interest in a lasting solution
to the Niger Delta crisis, have been urging the GON to extend
the amnesty deadline to allow time for dialogue and
negotiation. The GON, however, continues to insist that the
deadline will not be extended beyond October 4.
¶2. (C) "Jomo Gbomo," who has long claimed to be a spokesman
for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta
(MEND),issued a press statement on September 28 asserting
that prominent Nigerians have "agreed" to represent MEND in a
"dialogue" with the Federal Government. Notably, he implied
that such negotiations are not on-going by stating the
negotiators would become active "whenever the government
realizes the need to adopt meaningful dialogue as a means of
halting the violent agitation in the Niger Delta."
¶3. (C) Before the government's amnesty offer was made June
24, the figures most closely associated with MEND were the
captured gun-runner Henry Okah and militant leaders "Boyloaf"
and "Tom Polo." Jomo Gbomo was presumed to speak for them.
However, the GON granted amnesty to Henry Okah July 13 and
Boyloaf accepted amnesty on August 7.
¶4. (C) COMMENT: MEND appears to be deeply splint among those
accepting amnesty and those holding out for more concessions.
Jomo Gbomo at best speaks for the latter, including "Tom
Polo. END COMMENT.
¶5. (U) This cable has been coordinatedwith Embassy Abuja.
WALSH