Mend weighs up Obama's ceasefire plea

News wires

Rebel group the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) - who have stepped up attacks on Nigeria's oil industry in the last month - said today they are considering laying down their arms temporarily after a ceasefire appeal by US presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

Mend has launched five attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta since it resumed a campaign of violence in April, forcing Shell to shut more than 164,000 barrels of oil per day.

"The Mend command is seriously considering a temporary ceasefire appeal by Senator Barack Obama. Obama is someone we respect and hold in high esteem," the militant group said in a statement emailed to Reuters.

Mend did not say when or where Obama, who is locked in a neck-and-neck struggle with Hillary Clinton for the Democratic party nomination, made the appeal.

The militant group also claimed responsibility for an attack on Shell facilities in southern Bayelsa state on Saturday, which caused a spill and prompted the company to shut some production.

The attack came a day after a federal court ruled that Mend factional leader Henry Okah should be tried in camera. Okah has been charged with treason and gun-running.

Angered by the ruling, Mend had threatened prompt reprisals against the oil industry.

Peace talks between the government and militants to resolve the unrest in the Delta stalled after Okah was arrested in Angola in September. He was extradited to Nigeria in February to face trial.

As part of a campaign for greater local control over oil revenues, Mend launched its campaign in early 2006.

Before the latest attacks over the past week, analysts estimated that Nigeria was pumping about 2.2 million barrels per day, with about 1 million bpd shut in.

05 May 2008 08:32 GMT  | last updated: 05 May 2008 08:45 GMT