[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 90 (Thursday, July 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7892-S7893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        DEATH OF MOSHOOD ABIOLA

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, it is with great dismay that I 
wish to note the passing of Chief Moshood Abiola, the apparent winner 
of the 1993 presidential elections in Nigeria. Chief Abiola was 
apparently stricken by heart failure during a meeting with senior U.S. 
officials, including Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering and 
Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Susan Rice, on July 7. In 
great ironic tragedy, the U.S. delegation was in Nigeria, in part, to 
push the new government of that country for the release of Abiola and 
dozens of other political prisoners. There was broad speculation that 
Abiola would have been released within days.

[[Page S7893]]

  Mr. President, Abiola's death comes during a tumultuous moment in 
Nigerian history, just one month after the death of military leader 
Gen. Sani Abacha. Gen. Abacha was by any definition an authoritarian 
leader of the worst sort. He routinely imprisoned individuals for 
expressing their political opinions and skimmed Nigeria's precious 
resources for his own gains. With the replacement of Abacha by the 
current military ruler, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, there has been reason 
to be optimistic about Nigeria's future. Although he has not yet moved 
to repeal the repressive decrees that place severe restrictions on the 
basic freedoms of Nigerians, Gen. Abubakar has taken some positive 
steps, including the release of several prominent political prisoners, 
and has indicated a willingness to move his country once and for all in 
the direction of democracy. But he had yet to deal with one of the more 
vexing issues related to such a transition, and that is the role that 
Chief Abiola would assume.
  News of Abiola's death has sent shock waves through the country. 
Since last night, there have been sporadic riots throughout the 
country, and particularly in Lagos, the center of Abiola's supporters. 
At least 19 people are known to have died in the ensuing violence. And, 
according to news reports, heavily armed police continue to patrol the 
streets.
  Abubakar is making efforts to calm the country. First, he has 
ordered, with the consent of the Abiola family, a complete autopsy, 
under the supervision of Abiola's own doctor, of the cause of death. 
This is extremely important in order to quell the rumors already 
circulating that the military injected Abiola with poison prior to his 
meeting with the American officials. Abubakar also today announced the 
dissolution of the Abacha-appointed Cabinet. These are, indeed, 
positive steps, but they are not enough.
  Earlier this session, 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. Despite all the tumultuous events that have taken place in 
these past few weeks, I still believe these benchmarks are important, 
and I continue to call on Gen. Abubakar to implement as soon as 
possible these important changes, such as the repeal of the repressive 
decrees enacted under Abacha's rule, so that genuine reform can take 
place in Nigeria.
  Finally, in this time of great uncertainty in the country, I urge all 
Nigerians to exercise restraint. Let's wait to see what Abubakar 
chooses to do next. Let's wait to evaluate the results of the autopsy. 
Nigeria has suffered enough already. It would be a shame if Abiola's 
death were to lead the country into armed conflict.
  Let us hope this will not be the case.

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