By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria – Last Wednesday, President Goodluck Jonathan announced a new committee that will work on an amnesty deal with insurgent groups including Boko Haram.

“Goodluck Jonathan has approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee to constructively engage key members of Boko Haram and define a comprehensive and workable framework for resolving the crisis of insecurity,” his office said in a statement.

This new Presidential committee, also known as the National Security Council, is tasked to develop a framework under a Federal Government dialogue through which disarmament of extremist groups could take place within a 60-day time frame. After the deadline, the government is expected to offer members of these groups amnesty for as long as they guarantee that they will no longer fight government troops and harm civilians.

“The 26-member committee will also develop a support programme for victims of the Boko Haram crisis as well as produce mechanisms to address the underlying causes of insurgencies,” Presidential spokesperson Reuben Abati added.

The National Security Council, which aims to put an end to the series of bombings and shootings in the northern region of the country, is based on a program similar to the one created in 2009. The 2009 program proved to be successful in quelling the insurgency in Nigeria’s oil-rich southern delta.

On the contrary, several human rights activists believe that granting extremist groups an amnesty “will not work”.

To begin with, it remains highly uncertain whether or not these groups will accept a deal with and concede to the government, they pointed out.

Shehu Sani, a well-known activist who rejected his own nomination onto the committee, told AFP that the lack of coordination among committee members may cause the program’s failure. “I suggested the need to consult the leadership of the (Boko Haram) group discreetly through some names I mentioned in order to get their input,” Sani said. “That advice was ignored. This new government approach will not get us anywhere and I don’t want to soil my reputation,” he continued as he explained his reason for turning down his nomination.

Thomas Mösch, head of Deutsche Welle’s Hausa Service, also asserted that the new program should not be expected to be successful just because the previous one was. “In the Niger Delta, we had groups that were interested in economic improvement, first of all for themselves and for their local communities. With Boko Haram it is totally different. First of all, we don’t have one group that follows a specific strategy, if they do – it is not visible. Then the core group of Boko Haram when they started with their violent attacks were taking revenge for the killings of their own leader and brothers,” Mösch said.

 

For further information, please see:

All Africa – Nigeria: Datti Ahmed Rejects Amnesty Committee – 19 April 2013

All Africa – Nigeria: As Jonathan Names Amnesty Panel, Boko Haram to Get 60 Days to Disarm – 18 April 2013

All Africa – Nigeria Pushes Amnesty Plan for Islamist Militants – 18 April 2013

IOL News – Nigeria edges towards amnesty deal – 18 April 2013

Reuters – Nigeria president considers amnesty for Islamist rebels – 17 April 2013