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Oil rebels want Clooney's help
20/01/2008 13:48 - (SA)
Lagos - Rebels in Nigeria's oil
producing Niger Delta on Saturday invited the United Nations'
new "messenger of peace", actor George Clooney, to step into its
conflict with the government over oil wealth.
In an open letter sent by e-mail to the media, a prominent
armed group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger
Delta (MEND), asked Clooney to visit the impoverished wetlands
region which is home to Africa's largest oil reserves.
"Mr Clooney, MEND extends an invitation to you to see things
for yourself and is willing to work with you and other credible
peace makers of international repute to stop Nigeria from
plunging into the abyss of war," the letter said.
The United Nations named Clooney, who has campaigned for
refugees in Darfur, a "messenger of peace" on Friday to promote
peacekeeping.
MEND fighters have bombed oil facilities, kidnapped foreign
workers and attacked shipping in their bid to secure regional
control over the delta's oil wealth.
Their attacks since early 2006 have curbed Nigerian oil
output by 20% and helped drive world oil prices to record
highs.
Nigeria has resisted outside intervention in the crisis. The
eight-month-old government of President Umaru Yar'Adua has
engaged some rebel factions in preliminary peace talks which are
expected to resume next week.
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