Lagos — THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), yesterday, said the former President of United States, Jimmy Carter, has agreed to mediate in the Niger Delta crisis if invited by the Nigerian government.

MEND in an online statement signed by Jomo Gbomo said it was prepared to observe a temporary ceasefire in deference to the former American president if only the Federal Government would accept his initiative.

The statement read, "the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has received today, May 6, 2008 a confirmation from the Carter Centre through its Vice President, Mr. John Stremlau, that the former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter, has graciously accepted to mediate in the Niger Delta crisis on the condition that the Nigerian government and any other relevant stakeholder invites him.

"President Carter represents transparency, impartiality, humility and integrity; four key ingredients critical in the mediator recipe towards ensuring a genuine and enduring peace process for the region.

The Federal Government's acceptance of President Carter to mediate and also visit Henry Okah will demonstrate its seriousness to embrace genuine peace and reconciliation.

"For a government that talked so much about a peaceful resolution to the Niger Delta problem, President Carter's new initiative should be seen as a golden opportunity for a peaceful resolution of the over 50 years of injustice perpetrated against the peace loving people of the Niger Delta.

"We urge the Nigerian government to accept this olive branch offered by President Carter in place of the jamboree called the Niger Delta Summit scheduled for Abuja

We do not believe the Abuja summit will achieve any meaningful goal and have no interest in attending it.

"We are ready to call off all hostilities and hold a temporary ceasefire in honor of President Carter should the Nigerian government accept President Carter's initiative.

However, if as expected, the government fails to seize on this new opportunity for peace, our actions will continue to speak volumes beyond the Nigerian shores. Now the ball is in the court of the government."