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1998: Nigeria's Year of Tragedy and Transition

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1998: Nigeria's Year of Tragedy and Transition THE AFRICA FUND ' WINTER 1998-1999 NO.7 ISSUE I HUMAN RIGHTS 1998: NIGERIA'S YEAR OF TRAGEDY AND TRANSITION T his was a dramatic year in Nigeria, SKEPTICISM ABOUNDS tion cards failed to arrive at registration where the unexpected deaths of Nige­ sites in the south and west, resulting in rian dictator General Sani Abacha and Many doubted the army's intentions. widespread disenfranchisement of vot­ the illegally imprisoned President­ For over 13 years Nigerians have heard ers outside the army's northern politi­ elect, Moshood Abiola, were swiftly successive generals promise free elec­ cal base. Members of the Independent followed by a new general consolidat­ tions and democracy only to deliver National Electoral Commission (INEC), ing his power amid fresh promises of more dictatorship. Abubakar's deci­ the government agency in charge of the elections to end decades of military sion to impose yet another military vote, were handpicked by Abubakar and rule. These developments have sud­ controlled "transition to democracy" serve at his sole discretion. Local coun­ denly and profoundly altered the on the people without their consent cil elections held on December 5-a test course of the Nigerian democracy has been harshly criticized by Nigeri­ run for 1999 state, federal and Presiden­ struggle and THE AFRICA FuND an human rights and pro-democracy tial elections-revealed many of these launched a Nigeria Transition Watch leaders who point out that General flaws and underscored the importance project to meet the new challenge and Abubakar was a senior member of the of THE AFRICA FuND project, established protect the integrity of the promised Abacha dictatorship. in partnership with Nigeria's main hu­ democratic elections. The Transition Disturbing signs of electoral ma­ man rights group, the Civil Liberties Watch is directed by Human Rights nipulation soon began to emerge. Dur­ Organization, to educate Americans Coordinator Mike Fleshman. ing the crucial voter registration period about the transition program and work for example, some 16 million registra- (continued on page 6) REASONS FOR HOPE The death of the dictator Abacha in June 1998 after five years of ruthless and cor­ rupt misrule was greeted with celebra­ tion by the Nigerian people. Abacha's replacement, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, released some political pris­ oners, repealed some repressive laws and decrees, reined in the security forc­ es and announced a rapid transition to elected civilian government, which is to culminate in Presidential elections in February 1999 and inauguration of a civilian government by May 29, 1999. Nigerian human rights organizations have established an organization to - monitor the transition and ensure its legitimacy. Press restrictions have been Hafsat A biola (second from left) with Michigan Coalition for Human Rights Director Sister joanette Nitz (left) and members of the congregation at the Central United Methodist Church in Detroit. As part of an eased and the country's powerful trade emphasis on community based education and constituency outreach, Human Rights Coordinator Michael unions, under military administration Fleshman and Hafsat Abiola, the daughter of long-imprisoned Nigerian President-elect Moshood A biola, for four years, have been returned to conducted a speaking tour that included visits to seven local churches, an address to the Detroit City worker control. Council and briefings for the city's powerful labor movement. DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT Africa Fund Trustee Dr. Wyatt T. Walker introduces Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., the President's Illinois Congressman Danny K. Davis with Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush. Special Representative for Democracy in Africa, Jennifer Davis . at the Midwest Regional Consultation. PUBLIC OFFICIALS FOCUS ON AFRICA While the President's historic trip to Africa last Spring underscored Wash­ "The growth rates achieved by many Illinois State Senator Jesus Garcia with Former ington's renewed interest in Africa as African countries ... [are] founded in State Senator Alice Palmer. an economic and political partner, a qui­ real economic activity. It is the et revolution in U.S. policy towards Af­ reflection of Africans working harder rica has been underway outside the and smarter; of our entrepreneurs Beltway in state capitols and city halls becoming wiser and more innovative; across the country. Once the exclusive of our governments becoming preserve of the foreign policy establish­ responsible and responsive to the ment, corporate executives and the think needs of growing economies." tank elites, states and cities are now forg­ - South African Consul General ing their own business and cultural ties Sheila Slsulu to Africa, and bringing local priorities, community values and new ideas into the national debate over U.S. interests pie-to-people" connections between in Africa. the U.S. and Africa. These meetings Under the leadership of Project were part of a broader Africa Fund Director Susie Johnson, THE AFRICA program, made possible by a grant FuND has encouraged this new dyna­ from the Carnegie Corporation of New mism over the year, convening con­ York, to promote the involvement of Indiana Representative Charlie Brown . ferences in Chicago and Greensboro, state and municipal elected officials North Carolina and a forward-look­ with U.S. Africa policy. ing strategy meeting at The Riverside Church in New York City. These meet­ TRADE AND INVESTMENT ings brought together state and local A MAJOR FOCUS elected officials from 18 states with African and American economists and Despite the geographic and political di­ business leaders, academics and poli­ versity of the participants, trade and cy makers, Ambassadors, NCO groups investment, human rights, social justice and human rights activists. Through and strengthening local initiatives were focused presentations and freewheel­ recurring themes of the conferences dur­ ing discussions, the conferences in­ ing 1998. Establishing and expanding formed and reinforced local initiatives state and local business ties with Africa, for Africa, and strengthened the ca­ and the sometimes bitter debate over pacity of state and local officials to President Clinton's proposed trade leg­ engage American policy issues-help­ islation, The African Growth and Op­ ing to make the process more demo­ portunity Act, provided focal points for cratic, more inclusive and more state and local legislators throughout representative of the growing "pea- the year. Kimberley August of Enron Corporation with Jennifer Davis . 2 DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (continued from page 2) n "r!.Q. ::1 g I ~a- South African Minister for Welfare and Bennett College Provost Dr. Charlotte Alston Liberian Ambassador Rachel Gbenyon-Diggs with Population Development Geraldine Fraser­ with North Carolina Congressman Melvin Watt. Greensboro Mayor Carolyn S. Allen. Moleketi speaking at the Southern Consultation . Many speakers, including market and U.S. non-governmental communi­ tion of African Women for Research analyst Jeffrey E. Lewis of DST Catalyst, ties dubbed the bill the "re-colonization and Development and Congressman Inc. and Salih Booker, Senior Fellow at of Africa" because it imposed tough fi­ Melvin Watt. the Council on Foreign Relations and nancial conditions on African countries The challenge, said Booker, is to an Africa Fund Trustee, underscored and did little to benefit African or Afri­ get the mix of aid, trade, and invest­ Africa's growing importance as a U.S. can American small business. Critics also ment right by encouraging sound eco­ trading partner and a potential new stressed that the bill ignored many of nomic policies, improving the terms market of over 800 million people. Lewis the fundamental economic problems of trade for African exports and help­ pointed at African stock market invest­ confronting Africa, such as the debt cri­ ing Africans overcome the centuries­ ments as a way for public employee sis or the need to strengthen peasant old legacy of racism, colonialism, and pension funds and other investors to agriculture. underdevelopment. Comparing Afri­ both earn a fair return and provide Afri­ ca's place in the world economy and can businesses with the capital to ex­ in popular perception to impoverished pand into such lucrative areas as the "After the African Growth and minority communities in the U.S. , processing of African raw materials. Opportunity Act is passed, America, Booker told legislators, "You know the Booker noted that U.S. trade with Afri­ for the very first time, will hove a neighborhood," and encouraged them ca exceeds that with the former Soviet definable U.S.-Africo trade policy. to bring their experience in counter­ Union, but that unfair terms of trade, a African countries implementing ing poverty and violence, improving crushing debt burden and a rapid de­ dramatic reforms will receive education and economic opportunity, cline in U.S. development aid were ma­ substantially greater access to our and challenging stereotypes to their jor obstacles to African economic markets." work with Africa. growth. - Ambassador Johnnie Corson, Principal Deputy Assistant AT HOME IN THE GLOBAL LIVELY DEBATE ON TRADE Secretory of State for African VILLAGE Affairs At the southern regional conference at Establishing or expanding direct links the historically Black Bennett College between states and African countries in Greensboro, North Carolina, in June, was another constant among legisla­ participants engaged in what Liberian In Greensboro, the debate engaged tors. With
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