The Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram has again offered to dialogue with the Nigerian government ahead of a much talked about ceasefire.
In a very swift move from its hard line posture, the faceless group on Thursday told selected journalists in a telephone interview in Maiduguri, Borno State, that it was offering to cease all hostilities if the Nigerian government will arrest and prosecute the immediate past governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff.
Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who claimed to be one of the leaders of the group, told my colleagues (journalists) that he (Abdulaziz) was directed the leader of the Jama’atul Ahlis Sunna Liddaawati wal Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram to speak on their behalf.
“If this former governor is arrested, this thing will end as we are highly offended with what happened three years ago”
He claimed that while in office, Alhaji Modu Sheriff, directed security personnel to arrest and kill most of their members who were practising their religion, insisting that most of them are currently held in various prisons across the nation.
Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz demanded compensation as most of their wives and children have been killed just as their property have been destroyed.
Saudi Arabia venue
He said the sect would want the proposed dialogue to hold in a neutral ground Saudi Arabia, because the federal government had failed them in the series of the negotiations.
Mr Abdullaziz further said five of the sect`s members have been mandated to liaise with five members of Borno Elders to find ways of meeting the federal Government to end the insurgency that has claimed hundreds of lives.
He listed the Nigerian mediators as: Shettima Ali Mongonu, Retired General Muhammadu Buhari, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Gaji Galtimari and Barrister Aisha Wakil and her husband.
“The committee members of the dialogue he stressed include; my humble self, Abu Mohammed Abdullaziz, Sheik Abu Abas, Sheik Ibrahim Yusuf, Sheik Sani Kontagora, and Mamman Nur”
BRIEF PROFILE OF THE PROPOSED MEDIATORS
· Shetimtima
Ali Mongunu…An educationist, politician and former President of the Organisation
for Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC from 1972-1973. He was also a onetime Pro-Chancellor
of the University of Calabar and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
· Bukkar
Abba Ibrahim…..Governor of Yobe State from 1999-2007; a member of the All Nigeria
Peoples Party, ANPP.
· Muhammadu
Buhari…..Former Military Head of State, Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund;
· Gaji
Galtimari…..Chairman, Presidential Committee of Boko Haram insurgency (?).
· Aisha
Wakil and her husband…..(pedigre unknown)
Jonathan applauds intended peace talk
In the meantime, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati has confirmed that the the presidency has received the offer.
“Yes, I have seen the story in which the Boko Haram is reportedly declaring a ceasefire and the opening of dialogue. I think it is important to restate the position of government in this matter. The Federal Government is committed to peace and security for the benefit of all Nigerians. If what the proposed ceasefire is intended to achieve are the objectives of peace and security, then it is a welcome development.”
“Don’t forget that President Jonathan had made it clear that if the people behind Boko Haram are ready to come forward, and table their grievances, then government will be willing to listen to those grievances. There have been attempts before now, by concerned persons to reach out to the Boko Haram through back channels, in response to government’s call that all efforts should be made to resolve the problem. I suspect that this latest development may be related to that. Definitely, government is determined to ensure peace, peace, and peace, and protect the rule of law, and at the same time, see that justice is done where wrongs have been committed” According to Dr Abati.
However, since August 2011 the sect reportedly executed bombings and gun attacks in parts of northern Nigeria that have claimed over 2,000 lives including that of its fighters.
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES
What do you think of this new peace initiative? some public affairs analysts have expressed concern about the authenticity of this offer because several such offers have been disputed by an official of the sect days after.
What informed the choice of the mediators and venue of mediation talks?
The call for compensation....does it also include the inocent lives that was taken in their prime? Victims that have suffered and still suffering emotional/psychological trauma as a result of the insurgency?
What with the alleged excesses of the military personnel?
How do we get people that have relocated from northern Nigeria to return to their former places of abode?
Is the faceless organisation factionalized?
Will criminal elements continue to capitalize on the new found way of criminality to continue to unleash mayhem on the populace?
How do we eliminate the knowledge of bomb making from the minds of people with that knowledge..unlike the Niger-Delta, where they just turned in arms and ammunition?
Will the federal governmnet arrest and prosecute the former Borno State Governor as demanded by the sect?
What level of compensation.... cash or fixed assets?
What with the politicians, government officials (alleged by President Jonathan) to belong to the sect?
Do we just move on as a nation and pretend that nothing ever happened.....how long do we continue to make peace with armed groups?
Who are their sponsors?
Does Saudi Arabia provide a safe haven for the fundamentalists and their sponsors?
These and many more questions must be addressed at the proposed talks.
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