- Nigeria's main militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has pronounced its stand of the money for disarmament, saying its struggle was not for sale.
MEND said in a statement late yesterday that its taking of the deal would not be in exchange for money
"When we choose to disarm, it will be done freely, knowing that the reason for our uprising which is the emancipation of the Niger Delta from neglect and injustice has been achieved," said the group in a statement.
The Nigerian government has made offers to the militants in the Delta offering cash deals as part of the settlement and general amnesty to push for peace in the region. The amnesty deal is offered from 6 August until 4 October.
The Nigerian President, Umaru Yar'Adua, had also in late June offered unconditional amnesty for all militants who lay down their arms, but militants had stepped up their attacks after what they called unprovoked assaults by the government forces.
MEND has declared several ceasefires, with the latest being the last month a 60-day ceasefire in response to the amnesty offer. The group claims to be fighting for a larger share of the oil revenues for the Niger Delta communities and has distanced itself from other groups that have been said to be criminally motivated and involved in kidnappings for ransoms and other monetary deals.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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