America has ruled out acting as a mediator between Abuja and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a key demand by the militants to end their attacks on oil facilities and personnel in the volatile area.
The State Department said while it was willing to assist in bringing peace and security to the area, the United States will not get involved directly.
“The President of the United States is not in the business of mediating directly between a country and groups opposed to any government policy,” an official stated.
MEND, which blew up two more oil pipelines, Isaka River and Abonnema River, belonging to Shell in Rivers State, described the attacks as “a message to the United States to stop supporting injustices in the troubled region.”
The group said President George Bush had not responded to its past requests to mediate talks with the Nigerian government.
Top administration officials said the White House has directed the Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Affairs, Jendayi Frazier, to “liaise with Nigerian authorities on ways to assist in a workable solution to the crisis.”
Sources said peace plans might include another meeting of stakeholders and influential political and tribal leaders in the area.
It might also include the removal of government troops once peace has been achieved.
The attack has led to soaring oil prices which rocketed to historic highs above $118 per barrel.
“For the moment, there does not seem to be anything stopping the price juggernaut we are seeing in energy,” said global analyst, Ed Meir.
Shell said it may fail to deliver some 169,000 barrels of crude oil per day during April and May because of the militants’ attack.