[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 103 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FLAWED ELECTIONS IN NIGER

  Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, early this week, the people of the 
Republic of Niger were denied their right to choose their own 
leadership and control their destiny. I want to express my deep 
disappointment in the Nigerian elections and in the military regime 
that chose to retain power through fraud and intimidation rather than 
honor its word to hold free and fair elections.
  In January, immediately after Gen. Ibrahim Barre Mainassara deposed 
Niger's democratically elected president in a military coup, he pledged 
to return the country to democracy as soon as possible. At that time, 
the United States rejected the use of military solutions for political 
problems by suspending bilateral development and military assistance, 
as well as support for Niger in multilateral financial institutions. We 
urged Barre to keep his word and encouraged the military government to 
reestablish democracy quickly and transparently.
  Balloting started on Sunday, despite the fact that the Independent 
Electoral Commission had twice requested a postponement in order to 
ensure that accurate voter lists and voter cares were in place. General 
Barre rejected these requests and, instead, extended the voting through 
Monday. On this second day of balloting, the general deployed security 
forces to the homes of his opponents, shut down private radio 
stations--including the Voice of America affiliate--and dissolved the 
Independent Electoral Commission.
  Barre appointed a new commission which declared him the winner only 
hours later. Quickly after that declaration all demonstrations and 
public assemblies were banned. Political leaders are under house 
arrest, and political activists are being detained.
  Mr. President, I join with the administration and other members of 
the international community in condemning these recent events. The age 
of accepting military coups and authoritarian regimes in Africa is 
over. France, with its unique influence in Niger, can have an 
especially powerful voice in articulating this message. For this 
reason, it is particularly disturbing that the bilateral French 
delegation on the ground claimed that, by Nigerian standards, this 
weekend's election was a sound one.
  In this era of change and growth throughout much of the African 
Continent, Niger now stands out as a country moving against the tide of 
openness and progress. Development and economic growth cannot be 
achieved in a climate of instability, and human potential cannot be 
realized in an atmosphere of fear. If the people of Niger are to find 
their much-deserved place among the emerging markets and developing 
nations of Africa, Niger must return to democracy.

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