The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta may end its unilateral ceasefire

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) stated on 25 November 2008 that it may end its unilateral ceasefire and launch attacks in support of other militant groups in the west that are seeking the removal of a military commander. On 24 November militants in the Niger Delta's western Delta and Bayelsa states warned that they will interrupt shipping and attack Chevron facilities unless the region's military commander is removed. The Joint Task Force's Wuyep Rimptip has taken a tougher stance than his predecessor against militant activity in the region, where local governments have preferred to negotiate with the militant groups instead of employing a purely military strategy. If MEND decides to join the militants in Delta and Bayelsa states, a campaign of attacks across the Niger Delta is likely to cripple the country's oil sector. In September 2008 MEND carried out a six-day offensive in the Niger Delta, which forced Royal Dutch Shell to declare force majeure. The group later declared a ceasefire, but has continued to warn the government that it will resume its actions if it is provoked into doing so.