Medvedev visit to Nigeria marred by attacks
Published: 27 June, 2009, 23:19
Dmitry Medvedev shakes hands with Nigerian President Usman Musa Yar'Adua (AFP Photo / Dmitry Astakhov)
TAGS: Meeting, Medvedev, Africa
President Medvedev’s trip to Nigeria was explosive - literally. While the government honored the Russian leader with a 21-gun salute, the MEND militant group issued a pointed warning and unleashed a series of attacks
Medvedev arrived in Nigeria and was whisked off to the presidential villa to meet Nigerian President Yar’Adua. He was greeted with an honor guard. The two heads of state signed several agreements, and Medvedev was back in the air before the media could even print stories of his arrival.
But MEND, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, a militant group that claims to act on behalf of Nigerian citizens, did not appreciate what it claimed was the Russian president’s sole focus on reaping potential profits.
“You must have been very impressed with Abuja as you rode from the airport to the presidential villa,” the group said in a message to President Medvedev. “As you took in the new city and its frenzy of construction projects, you imagined huge potentials for business between Abuja and Moscow.”
“I am sure you already know that the region that produced the wealth with which the city has been built remains mired in poverty and lack,” MEND continued. “It is because the people who own the resources have no stake that we are now waging a war of emancipation.”
Agreements and examples
The six bilateral agreements Yar’Adua and Medvedev reached include one regarding “cooperation in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” as well as a memorandum of understanding between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Gazprom, a Russian gas company that claims to be the world’s largest.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Medvedev reportedly estimated that Russia’s plans could result in billions of dollars of investment in Nigeria. However, Medvedev has little first-hand knowledge of the turf in which he is proposing to operate, and it is therefore unclear whether his estimate includes all of the costs that foreign profit-seeking ventures must pay.
MEND quickly set out to acquaint Medvedev with the business environment.
“Your visit has coincided with Hurricane Piper Alpha which struck again today, Thursday, June 25, 2009 at about 00:25 at the major Shell Bille / Krakama pipeline in Rivers State to commemorate your visit,” the group said. “Cawthorn Channel 1, 2 and 3 flow stations feeding the Bonny export terminal have been effectively put out of service.”
These attacks on Shell’s oil infrastructure are part of MEND’s emancipation mission code named “Hurricane Piper.” MEND has vowed to bring Nigeria’s oil industry to its knees since the government and foreign companies have not done enough to lift the regions’ citizens out of abject poverty or even provide adequate jobs.
The campaign began in May and has already taken a serious toll on the industry. This week, before the National Assembly, Chevron testified that due to the intense attacks, its production has been cut by a third. Shell testified that sabotage had lowered its production from 350,000 barrels per day to less than 200,000.
“Mr. President, the agreements that you have signed in Abuja are worthless. MEND will ensure that,” MEND warned Medvedev. “This is the fate that awaits the gas pipelines you plan to invest in Nigeria if justice is not factored into the whole process.”
Michelle Smith for RT
27.06.2009, 20:15
3 comments
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Sam - Yoau are right, MEND are going the wrong way about it, However, the world is also going about it wrong with Africa. It is true that we are just raping Africa, we pay the pimp, and have the choice we want. This is doing very little for Africa short term, which is what breeds the trouble, yes in the end the idea is that the corrupt will get supper rich and they will divest into other things, and the economy will develop. This will all happen as long as the inequality doesn't breed more MEND types at a faster rate, keeping Africa in continuous turmoil. Looking at Africa, I would propose that this is the case, and that it is mired in continual struggle. This is not the way, the world community has to change this, and admit that what is going on commercially is unacceptable, we need some rules, so that wealth does get passed onto the people in a long term fashion, whilst at the same time allowing foreign capital and investment to reap the rewards they are entitled to. It is the only way to create win win in Africa. Africa shouldn't be knock down total exploitation, it should be an honest national bargain, with long term wealth for Africa and responsible investors.
The problem with Nigeria is corruption with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. It is true that the Niger delta states produce the crude that is the backbone of the federation, but everyone gets the same treatment. The gas deal will really help Nigeria as of the moment the gas is simply flared off, but will this income go down to the people? As a person who had been to Nigeria many times, the mentality is this. If I steal $1 million It will cost me $250000 to get out of trouble- profit. MEND however are going the wrong way about it. kidnapping innocent people who are just making a living and blowing pipelines will get them nowhere. They had managed to classify themselves like terrorists. They should be lobbying western governments to prevent this stolen wealth leaving Nigeria. We all know that the usual destination of Nigerian ex leaders and their ill gotten wealth is always London. Every single one of them since independence in 1960 ended up there.
Count Cash has a point here. Its not Africa that needs to change but the rest of the worlds behaviour towards Africa. Stop exploiting it via Pimps as Cash said. Two trips back to Nigeria, I was in a unique situation were I was sharing a drink with a White South African and an Nigerian in the Lagos airport, we discussed African problems. The South African said something that I will always remember cos its true. " We Africans have the Brains, however they are all abroad, we have the resources but its in others hands, we could be great if other let us" How true it is. When the last military ruler of Nigeria Sani Abacha died billions of dollars had so far been found in foreign accounts. Did those foreign banks think it came from his salary? This was a guy who sends a whole supertanker with a note saying " fill her up " Who was buying this crude off him? Do they know its illegal to handle stolen goods? This is the Guy who tried in a secret military court Ken Saro-Wiwa ( a Civilian ) cos he asked why his people the Ogoni tribe were been removed from their lands by oil companies like shell. Yes I have travelled a lot in Africa with lots of friends there and love it there, but been drawn into the politics of the place. Let me tell you it is ugly.