*Lay down your arms now, Rivers, Bayelsa govts tell militants

THE United States Military Command (African) went into operation yesterday with its Commander-General William Ward saying it was to prevent conflicts and bolster security.

There is widespread suspicion on the continent about the purpose of the command and many suspect it may be based in the Gulf of Guinea.

As General Ward spoke, the Rivers State government and Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State warned armed groups and individuals to keep the peace.

While the Rivers State government advised gunmen and “all those living outside the law to peacefully surrender their arms in their own interest and return to normal life,” Gov. Sylva declared that anyone involved in violence in the name of Ijaw struggle was on his own.

Gen. Ward speaking on Africom goals said it would work “to prevent conflicts as opposed to having to react. We want to work with our partners in ways that help create conditions of stability.

“Three commands are already operating on the continent but we hope to bring that effort together in a more cohesive way because we now want to look at the continent of Africa as the Africans look at it.”

The US military involvement in Africa has so far been shared among the US European Command, the US Central Command and the US Pacific Command.

The US government announced early in the year that the Defence Department was creating a US Africa Command headquarters to coordinate all American military and security interests throughout the continent.

Ward said in “today’s globalised society, we know that what’s going on in any part of the world affects us all. It is our best interest as a nation as well as for the international community of nations to have a stable African continent.”

Ward said while some critics might charge the United States of militarizing its foreign policy, it simply is not the case.

“We are not militarizing the continent, it is not our intent to do so. It is not our intent to take control over the resources of the continent, it is not the case,” Ward said.

“What we hope to do is work with African nations as they want to do things to better protect their people, their territory and their borders.”

US President George W. Bush, during a tour of Africa in February, said the United States had no plans to build new military bases on the continent.

Some African critics have sought to link the Africom project to the increasing reliance of the United States on imports of oil from Africa, especially the crude-rich Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria has already refused to host Africom and has made known its unwillingness to have it based “anywhere on African soil.”

On a potential headquarters location, Ward was noncommittal. “To be totally frank, finding a headquarters in Africa is not an essential mission right now. Now the central mission is to continue to provide value-added to our security assistance programme on the continent,” Ward said.

Asked about anti-piracy efforts and the Darfur crisis, Ward cited training possibilities with local governments.

“The United Nations took a decision recently condemning the piracy off the coast of east Africa. My command doesn’t make policy. However, we certainly are watching those activities.

However, “we are conducting training activities with many of the coastal nations of Africa where our naval assets are used as a platform where we embark other international partners who also want to participate in helping Africa taking care of its territorial waters’ security in a more effective way,” Ward added.

On Darfur, “different nations have been participating in the mission, some have asked us to prepare their forces to go into Darfur, logistics support has been provided and we will continue to take that role, again all based on our foreign policy objectives,” Ward said.

Surrender your arms, Rivers tells militants

The Rivers State government in a statement through its Secretary (SSG), Mr. Magnus Abe, said it could not continue to fold its arms and watch the state take a downward social mobility, adding that Rivers State must move forward.

“The Rivers State Government after careful review of the current security situation in the state, wishes to commend the current efforts of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the process of restoring law and order in the state.

“Millions of jobs have been lost, social life and amenities such as schools and hospitals have become non-functional in several communities, due to the activities of gun-totting criminals.

“Close watchers of the security situation in the Niger Delta over the past five years will acknowledge that insecurity has caused great hardship and suffering in the area.

“We must all recall that the Niger Delta struggle did not start with our generation. Our fathers before us started the struggle even before the discovery of oil in the Niger Delta. They were visionary enough to keep the struggle alive, and at the same time provided a future for us as their children.  The struggle has come a long way.

“Today, the Niger Delta is one of the 7-point agenda of the Yar’Adua administration. It is, therefore, completely illogical to use the struggle as an excuse to destroy our communities and the future of our children at this time.

“The stand of the Rivers State Government, therefore, is that the Nigerian nation and its security apparatus can no longer afford to fold their arms and watch common criminals destroy our treasured heritage.

“We, therefore, appeal, once again, to all those living outside the law, to peacefully surrender their arms in their own interest and return to normal life. Rivers State must move forward.

“The Rivers State Government has put in place several programmes for the rehabilitation of those affected, including the most expansive scholarship scheme in the history of our state.

“We have also embarked on a massive infrastructural renewal in roads, education, health, power, and a fully funded multi-billion Naira micro-credit facility that can be easily accessed by all.

“An end to violence will also mean the quick return of investments which will create job opportunities and herald a better life. We, therefore, want to state unequivocally, that there can be no alternative to peace and security.

“The JTF must be supported by all well-meaning citizens of Rivers State, to quickly and effectively restore law and order to all nooks and crannies of our dear state.  All persons living and doing business in Rivers State must be able to go about without let or hindrance.

“We urge those who may think otherwise, to look to the future and ask themselves, if they will like to see their children grow up in a stable, peaceful, prosperous and secure society. That is the society we are determined to build,” he said.

Violence 'll no longer be tolerated —Bayelsa

And in a broadcast to mark the National Day and the 12th anniversary of the creation of the state, Governor Sylva of Bayelsa State said he would soon unveil a comprehensive programme of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration under which all armed groups operating in the state must disarm and embrace the opportunities that Bayelsa State will offer every one of their members.

“These opportunities,” he said, “will better enable them to lead more fulfilling lives while also giving them an opportunity to contribute to the development this state, which they also love.”

According to him, the state needs the support of its citizenry and not bloodletting and called on the armed groups to give peace a chance so as enable the Federal Government address the problems of the region.

His words: “Any armed group which may be aggrieved for the sake of the people of Bayelsa State must now understand that the Federal Government is determined to address the problems of the Niger Delta and has opened reliable channels of communication to aid dialogue. Violence of any form can now not be tolerated at all because it can only serve to diminish our potentials for greatness.

“My message to all armed groups in the state is simple: Bayelsa State needs your sweat not your blood! From today anyone who engages in any act of violence in the name of our people is on his own and will not be accepted as a patriot,” he said.

The governor blamed the large presence of federal troops in the Niger Delta on the state of insecurity which is having adverse effect on the socio-economic development of the region. He decried the spate of violence in the region, describing it as threat to not only the socio-economic development of the region but the country as a whole.

“There is constant fear, insecurity and instability in the state. Our image in this country and internationally is one of violence and insecurity,” he said and recalled that at the inception of his administration, it was decided that the battered image of the state must be replaced with one unity.

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