ABUJA, July 14 (Reuters) - Nigerian rebel leader Henry Okah told Reuters on Tuesday violence against Africa's biggest oil sector would continue until the government begins negotiations with militants.

In his first interview since being released from detention, Okah said he did not believe other militants would follow his example and take the government's amnesty offer.

The 44-year-old, who is the first senior militant to take clemency, said President Umaru Yar'Adua's programme was the only option for him to get treatment for his kidney and ulcer problems.

"If I was outside, I wouldn't accept it (the amnesty) because for me it's just an opportunity to go for my treatment," Okah said at the Reuters office in the capital Abuja.

He says militant groups, like the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), will not stop fighting until the government and oil companies provide a fairer share of the region's wealth to its residents.

"We are fighting for our land. We must reach an agreement with the government on that," Okah said. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: af.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Randy Fabi and Hannington Osodo; Editing by Matthew Jones)


http://www.reuters.com/article/africaCrisis/idUSLE690768