Fed Govt, Boko Haram to resume talks

The Islamic sect, Boko Haram, seems set to resume peace talks with the federal government after months of a stalemate, The Nation has gathered.
The talks are expected to facilitate the proposed amnesty for members of the sect.
A reliable source familiar with the development said the decision to discuss with the federal government followed an appeal to the group by northern elders to embrace President Goodluck Jonathan’s amnesty offer.
The Nation also learnt that the federal government is willing to discuss with the sect.
“In fact, the government has encouraged all efforts to facilitate the talks. Specifically, the government has saddled a group of northern elders with the responsibility of bringing the militants to the table once again,” our source said.
“The latest decision by the sect to dialogue with the federal government is hinged on the planned amnesty offer. The last time the sect embraced dialogue was about seven months ago when it gave a group led by Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser, its listening ear.
“That process failed because the group felt the government was insincere. This time, following an appeal by northern elders to it to embrace the amnesty offer in the interest of peace, Boko Haram is willing to discuss the modalities of the offer with the federal government.
“The government is willing to discuss with them and has saddled some northern elders who are in touch with the leadership of the sect with the responsibility of ensuring that talks resume as soon as possible.
“Given the current situation of things and the willingness of both parties to dialogue, talks between federal government and Boko Haram may kick off in a matter of days.”
However, The Nation learnt the sect is coming back to the negotiation table on conditions, one of which is that it will choose the venue of the talks.
“The sect wants to be allowed to choose the venue of the talks as a condition for its participation. It is also demanding that the federal government delegation must be made up of prominent northerners. Another demand by the group is that agreements at the talks must be kept away from the public until the end of the process.
“I think the sect is just trying to take precautionary measures with these demands. In choosing the venue, the militants are being careful. By demanding for respectable northerners on the federal government delegation, they merely want to have people to hold responsible if government reneges on its promises after the talks.”
Efforts to get an official position from the Presidency on the planned resumption of talks with Boko Haram proved abortive as calls made to their phone numbers of Mr. Ahmed Gulak, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters went unanswered. Text messages sent to him were also unanswered at press time.
However, a Presidency source told The Nation that the Presidency is aware of efforts being made by a group of northern governors to bring the Islamic militants to the negotiation table.
“I suspect that the said resumption of talks is as a result of the efforts of some northern governors. They have been discussing with the sect for a while now. Maybe this is the outcome of their labour. If the militants are ready to talk, I can say without fear of any contradiction that the President is open to the idea especially now that he is offering them amnesty,” he said.