Nigeria's incoming president Goodluck Jonathan must strengthen the amnesty secured by his predecessor if he is to avoid a return to violent conflict in the Niger Delta region, the Economist has claimed.

The region has enjoyed a return to stability since a ceasefire was enacted in October last year.

In a special report, the journal declared that while the promise of oil and gas training has proved effective in curbing attacks on oil pipelines, the Nigerian government should work to guarantee jobs for rebels who have downed their weapons.

The journal claimed that this will be particularly important to the peace process in a country where unemployment runs as high as 50 per cent among young people in urban areas.

"Nigerian campaigners and foreign security people both say that outsiders are needed to help redesign and implement the amnesty," the Economist added, pointing to organisations such as the UN, the World Bank and the Economic Community of West African States as desirable backers and mediators.

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