In Nigeria, militants are calling for former U.S. President Carter to mediate talks between rebels and the government to end hostilities in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

A statement reportedly from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta–or MEND–says the group has offered to stop attacks on oil production facilities if Carter intervenes. Carter said he would consider stepping in if he was also invited by the federal government.

MEND have claimed responsibility for attacks on oil installations in Nigeria this past week. The group emerged in 2006 when they kidnapped oil workers and emailed pictures to news desks to bring attention to the plight of the inhabitants of the Niger Delta.

The Nigerian government, along with foreign oil companies, have reaped enormous profits over the years from the sale of Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves while the residents of the Niger Delta live in abject poverty. The region is plagued by high unemployment, environmental degradation due to oil and gas extraction, and a lack of basic resources such as fresh water and electricity. Nigeria is Africa’s number one oil producer, accounting for more than one million barrels per day.

Excerpt from the upcoming documentary “Sweet Crude.”

“Sweet Crude” is directed by filmmaker Sandy Cioffi. She was in the Niger Delta last month finishing work on the film. She was arrested by the Nigerian military and held for a week before being released following international pressure. Her film is slated for completion this summer. Sany Cioffi joins me in the firehouse studio.

Sandra Cioffi, documentary filmmaker. She was arrested in April by the Nigerian military in the Niger Delta. She was working with her film crew on finishing work on the documentary “Sweet Crude.” The film is slated for completion this summer.

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