The Cheshire Cat
28th February 2013, 21:37
Does anyone know more about the politics of the MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta)? They are a small, but heavily armed and (apparently) popular rebel group in Nigeria, who are trying to establish an autonomous area in the Niger delta.
I have read somewhere they are an anarcho-communist rebel group. But somehow I doubt this... If it were to be true it would be very interesting though. They seem to consist primarily out of one tribe, which makes me think they are above all else a nationalistic group which tries to establish an autonomous region in the oil-rich Niger delta for their fellow tribe members. But I do hope I'm wrong.
They are still very much active, and they often clash with oil companies and other rebels and government soldiers. They also allegedly kidnap oil company workers, but the MEND denies this and claims that is the word of some sort of fake MEND-group to make the MEND seem evil. They are quite successful, in the sense that they win a lot of their clashes. As I said earlier, they are heavily armed but I have no idea who is funding them. They might 'steal' some of the oil in that region and sell it on the black market as a source of income. If they do kidnap, this could also be a source of income.
Here is a small series of docu's about them:
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In part II you can see their combat tactics as they train, which seem like total shit. I am certainly no expert, but anyone could see their tactics could be greatly improved. Yet they manage to damage the government troops badly.
Their site: http://mendnigerdelta.com
So, does anyone know more about this group?
I have read somewhere they are an anarcho-communist rebel group. But somehow I doubt this... If it were to be true it would be very interesting though. They seem to consist primarily out of one tribe, which makes me think they are above all else a nationalistic group which tries to establish an autonomous region in the oil-rich Niger delta for their fellow tribe members. But I do hope I'm wrong.
They are still very much active, and they often clash with oil companies and other rebels and government soldiers. They also allegedly kidnap oil company workers, but the MEND denies this and claims that is the word of some sort of fake MEND-group to make the MEND seem evil. They are quite successful, in the sense that they win a lot of their clashes. As I said earlier, they are heavily armed but I have no idea who is funding them. They might 'steal' some of the oil in that region and sell it on the black market as a source of income. If they do kidnap, this could also be a source of income.
Here is a small series of docu's about them:
kJSVFnJruxM
BlXbY_lpk7g
p5iksguI3ZM
In part II you can see their combat tactics as they train, which seem like total shit. I am certainly no expert, but anyone could see their tactics could be greatly improved. Yet they manage to damage the government troops badly.
Their site: http://mendnigerdelta.com
So, does anyone know more about this group?