17 John Street • New York, NY 10038 • (212) 962·1210 William H. Booth. President Wyatt Tee Walker. Vice President David Scott. Vice President Jennifer DavIs. Executive Director

July 22, 1994 ACTION ALERT!

PROTEST NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN ON DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT, SUPPORT CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION 151

While South Africa sets to the task of strengthening its new democracy, the struggle for democracy in oil­ rich Nigeria, Africa's largest country, has taken on new urgency. The powerful oil workers unions have paralyzed the vital oil production and refining industries with strikes aimed at ending decades of military dictatorship. They have been joined by hospital, municipal and transport workers, students, civic and human rights organizations. Nigerian democracy leaders have asked for your support.

BACKGROUND

For 24 of their 34 years of independence, the people of Nigeria have lived under military rule. Economic mismanagement and widespread corruption have plunged the country into a deep economic crisis. Last year the Nigerian military, under mounting public pressure, agreed to a carefully controlled return to civilian rule. The army created two centrist political parties and handpicked their presidential candidates in advance of national elections held in June 1993.

One of the parties, the Social Democratic Party, established a strong lead in early returns. Its leader, wealthy businessman Moshood Abiola appeared to be the clear winner in the race for president. But the army refused to step down, annulling the elections, banning political parties and muzzling Nigeria's independent press. Over 100 pro-democracy demonstrators were killed by the security forces in the weeks that followed. Later that year another general, Sani Abacha, took power and continued the crackdown, jailing democracy activists and sending troops against peaceful protesters.

THE CURRENT CRISIS

The current crisis began last ml"~'h when President-elect Abiola challenged the military by publicly claiming the presidency on the; ,', '1iversary of his election. He was arrested 'lnd held without bail on treason charges. On July 4 the largest of Nigeria's influential oil workers unions launched a national strike to win Abiola's release from prison and force the army to accept civilian rule.

When authorities arrested union President Frank Kokori and dispatched troops to break the strike, the stoppage spread to other unions, paralyzing large parts of the Nigerian economy and attracting widespread public support for the workers' demands.

On July 18 as many as 20 people were killed when state security forces attacked pro-democracy demonstrators. Trade union and democracy movement leaders have gone underground to avoid arrest.

With the strike in its third week and the economy shut down because of fuel shortages, Nigeria has reached a flash point. Nigerian human rights organizations report that Abacha is under mounting pressure from within the military to end the crisis -- either by bowing to the peoples' demands and stepping down or crushing the pro-democracy movement by force.

(more) Supporting African freedom and independence since 1953 • Established The Africa F'.II1d. 1966 • INTERNATIONAL ACTION COULD TIP THE BALANCE IN FAVOR OF DEMOCRACY.

SPEAK OUT against human rights abuses and the suppression of the democratic aspirations of the Nigerian people. Call for the release of Moshood Abiola, Frank Kokori and all other Nigerian political prisoners. Urge the Nigerian military government to return the troops to barracks and abide by the results of the 1993 election.

WRITE OR FAX:

General Sani Abacha Chair, Provincial Ruling Council c/o Ambassador Zubair M. Kazaure Nigerian Embassy to the United States 1333 16th Street N. W. Washington, DC 20036 FAX: 202 775-1385

SUPPORT House Concurrent Resolution 151 (H. Con. Res. 151). This resolution, introduced by New Jersey Representative Donald Payne, calls for stronger United States action to promote human rights and democracy in Nigeria. This important resolution should pass by a wide margin to be effective.

Urge your Member of the House of Representatives to become a Co-Sponsor of H. Con. Res 151 and to vote yes when it comes up for passage. Telephone calls to your Representative's district office is an effective way to focus attention on international issues. Or you can write:

The Honorable _ House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

Send copies of your letters to The American Committee On Africa. We will forward them to Nigerian democracy activists.

PLEASE ACT NOW!

Nigeria's democracy movement is a peoples' movement, led by labor, religious, students and civic organizations, and driven by the poverty and injustice of over two decades of military misrule. As repression and resistance escalate, the danger of civil war and violence involving tens of millions of people grows greater. Your action can help prevent another human tragedy in Africa. 17 John Street • New York, NY 10038 • (212) 962·1210 Tilden J. leMelle, Chairman Jennifer Davis, Executive Director

THE NEW YORK TIMES July 15, 1994 Nigerian Democracy; Under Arrest Nigeda can be described as a giant-size coun­ and a strike, now in its 11 th day, by the powerful oil try under pint-size military rule. A year ago, Nige­ workers' union. AJI this has placed the ruling cabal ria's generals decided to allow their people a whiff in a whoJly untenable position. The demonstrators of democracy under highly controlled circum­ ask only for what they have been repeatedly prom-' stances. Two political parties were formed under ised: a return to civilian rule. military tutelage; two carefully screened candi­ Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and dates were allowed to contest the presidency. Even the world's sixth-largest oil exporter. Yet years of so, when voters failed to approve the regime's first misrule have made Nigeria a byword for chaos and choice, the military ruler broke his promises, an­ cupidity. A once-outspoken press is now stifled, the nuJled the election and robbed the presumed win­ narcotics traffic in Lagos is brazenly open and a ner, Moshood Abiola, of victory. potentiaJly prosperous economy is wasted by a huge The result has been a grass-roots pro-demo­ foreign debt, bribes and incompetence. The coun­ cratic uprising that the current military clique has try's best-known author, the Nobel laureate Wole been unable to quell. The crisis deepened a few Soyinka, even fears that "Nigeria will not survive weeks ago when Mr. Abiola, a Muslim and million­ as a nation" unless the current junta steps down aire with a following in Nigeria's non-Muslim south, and permits Mr. Abiola to assume office. proclaimed himself President on the first anniver­ AJI this has been noted and deplored in Wash­ sary of the canceled election. For that he was ington, but without suff~cient Urgency and passion. charged with treason, held incommunicado and This is an occasion for vigorous preventive diplo­ threatened with a life sentence. When a federal high macy. Ameri.cans have the right to warn and to court judge twice ordered the military to produce shame, espedaJly giv~n the dramatic democratic Mr. Abiola in open court, the junta ignored the transformation in South Africa. If Pretoria's white order. minority rulers can honor their promise to hold Predictably, the effect has been to widen the elections and inaugurate President Nelson Man-· rebellion. Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, was shut dela, by what reasoning does Nigeria's cabal flout down yesterday by demonstrations, a work boycott the same principle? .

Established by The American Committee on Africa, 1966 • Contributions are cox-deductible • THE WEEKLY MAIL & GUARDIAN June 24 to 30 1994 Nigeria's generals must learn from Mandela risk. in calling secret meetings. held Nigeria's generals should take a leafout of ••...''t.'4,.< separately. ofthe selected Senate and their SouthAfrican counterparts' book and, .. the House ofRepresentatives (both of hand over power peacefully, argues the ' which Abacha had dissolved). Both Moshood Abiola demandedAbacha'simmediateresig­ countIy's elected leader nation. The elected state governors ­ N MAY 10. Iwatched Nelson power on November 17 1993 have including some from the party that Mandela being sworn in as demonstrated that he is every bit a opposed me at the election. the president of South Africa. political trickster as Babangida. In National Republican Convention OThe fonnerpresident, FWde fact he went to parade himself as (NRC) - have also held secret meet­ Klerk. took the oath of office as sec­ Nigeria's leader at Nelson Mandela's ings. And state assemblies and local ond vice-president. Saluting the new illustrious inauguration in order to governments are all similarly being presidentwere theheads ofthe South consolidate his power and remain at galvanised into action. Finally, African anned services. the top indefinitely. Nadeco called on me to assume my It all signified that a change of Thatis why, once again, the people mandate and declare myself presi­ baton had peacefully taken place. of Nigeria have taken to the barri­ dent and that a new constitutional order, cades to chaseAbachaoutandinstall Trueto fonn. Abacha's government predicated upon majority rule, had the presidenttheyelected onJune 12 has reacted byarresting Nadeco lead­ come to replace the old Mdisorder", last year. The campaign is being ers. It also placed me under house based on racial oppression and organised by a new body called the arrest. Butthiswas a terrible mistake minority rule. National Democratic Coalition on the part of the military, For on Also watching this historic event (Nadeco). It embraces all the civil June II, the Nigerian people rescued was General Sani Abacha, Mhead of rights organisations that took partin me from under the very noses of the state" ofNi.geria. A yearago. predsely the civil disobedience campaign agents of the military government, the same sort of election that had which brought Nigeria to a standstill and I was able to drive into Lagos city brought Mandela to the podium in following the annulment of the elec­ and declare myselfpresident. Details the Union Buildings was held in tion lastyear. on the composition ofmy bipartisan Abacha's own country. The election Nadeco wants me to set up an Government of National Unity will was called bythe Nigerian military. of alternative government which will emerge soon. whichAbachawas then the top man, rescue Nigeria from theravages ofthe In doing this. I am not courting asministerofdefence. AIl themecha­ economic experimentation that the facile martyrdom. Nor am I seeking nisms for supervising the election militaryhave unleashed onthe coun­ cheap heroics. I am only giving were devised and supervised by the try. The latest manifestation of the expression to the frustration felt by military, who prided themselves that military's economic madness has many Nigerians that their country. thewhole processhad gone "withmil­ been to reintroducestringentcontrols which is so well endowed with itary precision". on the economy, ata time whenmost human and material resources, Yet when it became clear that one countries.are trying to loosen theirs. should be languishing in such eco­ ofthe candidates- namelymyself­ The result? Our hospitals have nomic and political malaise merely had won the election. the military been turned into mortuariesbecause because a few people with guns want resorted to all sorts oftricks to try to there are no drugs to cure the sick. to rule. We want to show them pe0­ reverse the people's choice. When ple's power. they failed in the courts. they intro­ ur industries are lying idle or There comes a time when causes duced a new word into the political Ooperating under capacity, become bigger than men. Democracy lexicography of Nigeria: the Mannul­ because there is no foreign exchange is bigger than me. and I am prepared ment" ofa free and fair election. to importmachinery, sparepartsand to allow itto use me to betterthe lives The Nigerian people would have raw materials. And our educational ofthe Nigerian people. none of it and. through an intense institutions. where they are not In his statement to the P:-etoria civil disobedience campaign. they closed due to unrest, have become Supreme Court on April 20. 1964. chased General Ibrahim Babangida, desolate desert islands. where the Nelson Mandela said: MDuring mylife who had Mannulled" the election. out only books available are what stu­ time. Ihave ... cherished theideal ofa ofoffice. An ~interirnnational govern­ dents can palm off those who democratic and free society. in which ment". that replaced Babangida. obtained their education in better all persons live together in hannony under a civilian. Ernest Shonekan. days. and with equal opportunities. It is an was similarly booted out after only In many areas, school fees, abol­ ideal which I hope to live for and two months. when the courts ished even at a time Nigeria did not achieve." declared itillegal. have oil. have recently been reintro­ This prediction musthave amused Abacha. as defence minister, duced. his oppressors. But where are they steppedintothebreach, aftermaking Nadeco is determined that this today and where is Mandela? Our noises which suggested he intended imposition ofinefficient unrepresen­ prayer to Almighty God is that, as it to setmatters right. tativemilitaryrule shallnotcontinue. was with Mandela and South Africa. ButAbacha's actions since he took So Nadeco has succeeded, at great so it will be with Nigeria. ,

A NIGERIAN federal. high court yestcrdl\Y denied hail to' KARl-MAIER Nigeri~n Mosho(ld Abiola, the million­ aire' busines'ma'n who won plies, which depend on gas, last }~ear's: aborted presiden­ have been cut i.ll Lagos elnee tial e1ecti9m, and who has the beginning of the week. be~n charged with treason. A Most banks and shops h:\\'c ten.day st~Jke by oil workers been shut. Several embatsies court. ; I to de~and his release contin­ ~aidthat ther were running ues to run ~he economy into out of fuel because a pUn\l-) for the gtound. ., It special diplomatic supply Judge Mohammed Musta­ pn,,·ided by a Lltgos nliJitary phil, prcsldillg over the High barracks had broken down. denies Court in' Abuja, the capital, The strikes ha\'e caused said th;lt he had'rejected tbe ripples on the international application for bail because (lj) market, where prices f~1r there' was no pl'Oper afIid9.\'it Nigerill's Bonny Light, equiv­ to support it. alent to Britain's Brent crude, Abiola. bail "Fact$' have not been ad· have a year high of $18.50 duced to show (ue why the ac­ (£12) per batrel. cused should be granted The value of the Nigerian bail,'~ he ~aid. He remllnded currency, the naira, has plum­ MrAbiolo in police custody' meted recently to 53 to the until 28 July. dollar, compared to its oflicial The .flamboyant Yoruba "olue of 22 to the dollar. chief told the judge that the The commanders of thc police cel,l in Which he was armtd forces were meeting in held .was unhygienic and full Abuja yesterday to work out II ~>Y THE INDEPENDENT of mosquitoes. "It is not con­ strategy to end the strikes, ~ ducive to sustain life in the called by blue collar llnd type (If place and environ­ white; coUar oil workers 10 de­ ment I ani kept," he said. "So, mand i the release of Mr I plead judge, sending me Abiote. ~I back to such a place will Military a...alysts in Nigeria amount to sending me to an lIiid that theT~ was growing FRID? Y 15 JULY 1994 early grave." unease i1'\ (he armed forces Mr Ablola, one of Africa's over the crisis, and o"cr the wealthiest men, looked sickly, lack of decisive action by and he frequently coughed in Ge(leral Abacha. "He is rather court when he appeared for like a rabbit caught il\ the the bail hearing. headlight~ of an oncoming General Sanni Abacha's tllr," said one, "lie is com­ militllry government arrested pletely mesmerised." Mr Abi(lla!ast month after he There were unconfirme,t proclaimed himselfpresident. repOrts that the tough stance He based. his claim to be pres, taken by the labour lInion~, ident on 'the wide le.ad he held unp:\ralleled in recent years, in last year's 12 Jnne rlrctions, wa~ showing signs o( crllck­ which were organiscd by the ing. State radio reported that army. workers lit the Ward refinety The tben president, Gen­ in eastern Nigeria were r~· eral Ibrahim Babangida, an­ turning to work. Newspapers nulled the eIe.ction. Dozens .reported that branches of the of human ri.ghts activists and Nigerian Labour Congress in pl'O.demclcracY politicians tbe northern cities of l<.atsina h.ave since been locked up, . and Kano had refused to joint The strike! have crippled 'tbe labour action. . the oil sector, which accounts . Support for Mr Abiola, who ftl~ 90 per ce~,t qfNigeria's,e~~ W~1I born in the south-western port:-., l\nd the ,~oinmercial citY 'of Abeok\lta, has been (;al)ital, J-agQs. F\leI 'shQrtages wea~est ip the more conser\'n­ llove,l'h\it;do\VJt public traJ1S~ ,iv~, noi(lt, 'the. region which pOt( and most factories. lias dominated the Nigerian . Diesel, crucial to tnlclcing . political leadership since in. and power generators, has dcpendelice (rom Britain in been scarce. Ekctridty sup- 1960. THE FINANCIAL TIMES JULY 19, 1994 Nigerian protesters claim 20 killed in clashes

another unconfirmed report said . union which is enteriDg the third eight people were shot by armed week ofits strike, says its leader Mr Nigeria's striking oil unions said security forces. Frank Kokori is under arrest, which yesterday their leaders had disap­ The oil workers are demanding is denied by the.police. Pi9lgassa:n, peared, as witnesses to clashes in that General Sani Abacha's regime the senior staff union which joined the commercial capital Lagos uphold the result of the June 1993 the strike a week ago, says it does between demonstrators and security presidential election - which was not know where its two top officials forces reported a number of deaths. annulled after Mr Moshood Abiola are. The Campaign for Democracy, emerged as the apparent wiDner ­ The 011 workers yesterday ruled which is seeking the removal of the and reverse its cuts in investment in ont an end to the. strike until the military government, said 20 people the oil industry. Mr Abiola has been military government hands over to were killed. One witness said a man arrested and faces trial for treason civilian rule and denounced as a in military uniform had been left at the end of this month. sell-ont talks at the weekend dead by a rioting crowd, while Nupeng, the junior oil workers . between the government and other

trade unions over an end to -the Factory workers have been on Sbell, which prodnces half of strike. ~e in support since last week in Nigeria's estimated 2m barrels of oil Some of the 41 unions which Lagos, where most of the industrial a day, said: "It is affecting produc­ make up the Nigeria Labour Con­ area is shnt either because of strikes tion in a small way but we are meet- . gress (NLC) began a two-day meet·. or the lack of electricity and fuel. ing tanker delivery schedules.· I ing in Kaduna yesterday to consider Some multinationals operating in . Gradually the strike is takiug , !!. national stoppage in support of the Lagos area say they have effect." Nupeng, especially if any of the between a week's and two weeks' Senior ~ment and expatri­ strikers were badly treated. The supply of industrial fuel, diesel and ate staff, who are not union mem­ NLC bas sided with the government petrol. The strike bas stopped deliv­ bers, are trying to maintain essen­ in previous crises and avoided eries of petroleum products to ·fill· tial services. Pengassan bas warned all-out strikes, but as an 'UDlbrella ing station, and big industrial of reprisals.against strike breaking for the labour movement it does not users, mainly in the south-west ~f but were not specific about the control individual unions. Nigeria. action they intend to take.