Nigeria: Rebels announce indefinite ceasefire

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has declared an indefinite ceasefire in the oil-producing Niger Delta to allow for peace negotiations with the government. The decision comes after the government “expressed its readiness to engage in serious and meaningful dialogue.” Mend said it had formed a team which included Wole Soyinka, the Nigerian Novel literature laureate to discuss its demands with the government. The government welcomed the development but said it would not be engaging the MEND-appointed team. An earlier 92-day ceasefire came to an end near the beginning of the month reports VOA.