[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5993-S5994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    POLITICAL TRANSITION IN NIGERIA

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise today to note the death of 
Nigeria's

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military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, yesterday in Abuja, the capital city 
of Nigeria. Although the circumstances surrounding his death remain 
unclear, it is my hope that his death will provide an opportunity for a 
new era in Nigeria.
  As the Ranking Democrat of the Senate Subcommittee on Africa, I have 
long been concerned about the collapsing economic and political 
situation in Nigeria. Nigeria, with its rich history, abundant natural 
resources and wonderful cultural diversity, has the potential to be an 
important regional leader. But, sadly, it has squandered that potential 
and the good will of the world with repressive policies, human rights 
abuses and corruption, all of which proliferated during Abacha's 
tenure.
  Although there was no clear line of succession, Nigeria's top 
military leaders met into the night yesterday to select Gen. Abdulsalam 
Abubukar as the new head of state. We do not know much about Gen. 
Abubukar, but we know that he has an historic opportunity to effect 
real political change for the country.
  Last month, I introduced the Nigerian Democracy and Civil Society 
Empowerment Act (S. 2102). The provisions of my bill include benchmarks 
defining what would constitute an open political process in Nigeria. I 
call on Gen. Abubukar to implement as soon as possible some of these 
important changes, such as the repeal of the repressive decrees enacted 
under Abacha's rule, so that genuine reform can finally take place in 
Nigeria. The new leadership should demonstrate respect for the rights 
of all Nigerians to express their views. Most importantly, Gen. 
Abubukar should take advantage of this opportunity to immediately move 
toward free and fair elections and unconditionally release all 
political prisoners, including the winner of the annulled 1993 
elections, Chief Moshood K.O. Abiola.
  Abacha's death should represent not just a change in leadership, but 
ought to result in real change for the average Nigerian.
  Finally, I believe the United States should take a clear and public 
stand to demonstrate its support for a clear transition to civilian 
rule in Nigeria. Now is the time for the United States to make 
unequivocally clear that the military should exercise restraint in the 
near and long term, begin to build bridges to the pro-democracy forces, 
and do everything possible to end the current political crisis and 
restore legitimacy to the Nigerian government.
  I urge the Administration to communicate these sentiments quickly to 
Nigeria's new leadership.

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