Since reading Sebastian Junger’s wonderful expose on the issue last February in Vanity Fair, the situation surrounding the Nigerian Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has captivated me. In a region so strategically important to the United States, MEND has managed to single-handedly disrupt Chevron and Shell’s efforts to drain the black gold. Despite continued global attempts both at peace and vigilante justice, for more than three years now, MEND has systematically carried out attacks both on the oil infrastructure and its employees.

On Monday, the situation flared again. Two pipelines were attacked by MEND actors, resulting in significant damage and slashing oil shipments from the region by 169,000 barrels per day while the lines are repaired. In a letter to President Bush this week, MEND leaders claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that the “attack was prompted by the continuous injustice in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria where the root issues have not been addressed by the illegal and insincere government.”

The leaders also requested assistance in solving regional issues, not from President Bush or the U.S. military’s new African Command, but from former President Jimmy Carter and one of the United Nations’ newest “Messengers of Peace”- none other than Mr. George Clooney.

First reported last January, MEND has asked Clooney to visit the region and intervene in the conflict, publicly stating that MEND is “willing to work with [Clooney] and other credible peace makers of international repute to stop Nigeria from plunging into the abyss of war.”

Finding no initial success, MEND renewed its request for the assistance of the actor this week.

So can the former caped crusader make a difference in the country recently named the new “Pirate Capital of the World”? Will the celebrity diplomat take on this latest role? Does it have the makings of Syriana, Part Deux? Only time will tell, but it does make one wonder: given the corruption, oil and greed in the region, what would Michael Clayton do?

Image: WashingtonPost.com