Shots Fired in Niger Delta Threaten Cease-Fire
Oil pipelines run through a village in the Niger Delta. (image: circleofblue.org)
Reuters reported Tuesday on shots fired in the Niger Delta, putting at risk the fragile peace Nigeria has recently been working so hard to maintain. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) accused Nigeria’s military of raiding a local community and targeting the home of one of its former commanders. The military denied offensive action, saying they were simply responding to shots fired.
As HeatingOil.com reported last month, an amnesty program was put in place by the Nigerian government in a bid to end rebel unrest and regain control of the country’s oil production. This latest misunderstanding is a serious blow to the program’s possible success, and could lead to renewed attacks on Nigeria’s oil supply, and in turn, higher oil prices.
As Africa’s largest oil producer, political instability within the nation has a huge effect on global oil prices. During peaceful times, Nigeria’s oil production and output remain steady, helping to lower crude prices, while times of turmoil almost guarantee price increases. That a country so many miles away from the U.S. has a such a large impact on home heating oil and other energy prices here at home comes as a surprise to many consumers—but that’s the reality of the global energy market.
