Crisis in the Niger Delta

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Summary

USIP's David Smock [1] explores the factors underlying and perpetuating the militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In this report, Smock analyzes the prospects for the current amnesty process, the fallout of the May 2009 government offensive against a faction of a militant group, and the roles of civil society as well as regional politics play in the Niger Delta. The report -- based on an 11-day trip to Nigeria Smock and other specialists took in late August 2009 -- also looks at the unique problems caused by the oil industry and the poor financial distribution of the industry’s proceeds to the local population. Finally, Smock examines why a stronger political process and economic development could work to reduce conflict there, and how the international community could play a better role in addressing the problems.

About the Author

This USIPeace Briefing was written by David Smock [1], vice president of the Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution [2] at the United States Institute of Peace and associate vice president of the Religion and Peacemaking [3] program, one of the Centers of Innovation [4].