Mass un-civil society
While there's a commonly-recognized difference between elite and mass politics in Nigeria, there seems to be a parallel difference between elite and mass civil society. According to Will Connors, writing in the Washington Post, the mass civil society in Port Harcourt is decidedly un-civil and criminal.And it might be close to outright warfare.
From Boom to Bust in Nigeria
"Nigeria's economy is among the fastest-growing in the world, but most people live on less than $1 a day. The poverty, combined with an influx of weapons, has led to rampant crime. Armed gangs kidnap foreigners and wealthy Nigerians for ransom, steal oil, and attack restaurants and clubs. Bystanders are often caught in the crossfire...
"Port Harcourt, the hub of Nigeria's oil-producing Niger River Delta region, was once known for its bustling streets and vibrant night life, fueled by foreign oil workers with ample allowances, and local traders and club owners eager to capitalize on the boon that followed the discovery of oil...
"Government officials concede that the problems damaged the city and region but say order has been restored. The insecurity 'has really hurt the Niger Delta region, not just Port Harcourt, in so many ways,' said state information commissioner Nwuke Ogbonna. 'But we're going after them. We're trying to guarantee more security for people wanting to come out at night and enjoy the city. We believe that we are on top of the situation now.'
"Residents say fear and suspicion, of militants and the police, pervades Port Harcourt...
"Efforts at long-lasting reform in the delta, such as peace talks and wealth-sharing agreements, have been ineffectual. According to analysts, a large part of the problem is that politicians and military leaders are linked to the region's instability...
"The government body established with the sole mandate of improving the delta, the Niger Delta Development Commission, has come under fire for corruption..."
Oil rebels declare war in Nigeria
"The main militant group in Nigeria's southern oil region declared a state of war yesterday after two days of clashes with the armed forces, raising the spectre of a stepped-up conflict in Africa's oil giant.
"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has focused mostly on hobbling Nigeria's oil industry since it emerged nearly three years ago, bombing pipelines in hopes of forcing the federal government to send more revenues to the impoverished oil-producing south.
"But a military task force involving marine, land and air forces has stepped up its activities in recent weeks, and the militant group said that two days of relatively rare ground battles with the military meant the region was in a state of war."
From the BBC: Oil station 'blown up' in Nigeria
"Militants in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region say they have destroyed an oil installation a day after declaring they were "at war" with the military.
"A flow station belonging to Shell in Alakiri, in Rivers State, was attacked in the early hours of the morning, a military spokesman confirmed...
"On Sunday, militants said they had "declared war" on the government after battling security forces guarding oil facilities...
"Mend's violent campaign for a bigger part of the area's oil wealth has cut Nigeria's oil output by more than 20%.
"Mend militants are the most publically visible of several armed groups operating in the impoverished delta region..."
Labels: civil society, Nigeria, politics
posted by Ken Wedding @ 6:32 AM
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