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Nigeria wants return to Commonwealth

Foreign Minister Ignatius Olisemeka is due to tell the Commonwealth Action Group (CMAG) that his country should be allowed to rejoin without delay.

Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth three years ago for its human rights abuses.

Mr Olisemeka has said that in view of the events of the past, he wants to stress "all the efforts the present administration has been making to bring Nigeria back to the fold."

He said the country had made dramatic developments since the present head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar, came to power.

Democracy condition

However, Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has said Nigeria will only be eligible for readmission after a democratic government is restored to the country.

Nigeria's military government has said it will hand over power to an elected civilian government in May next year.

Mr Olisemeka said: "The secretary general, of course, has spoken, but the secretary general is not the Commonwealth.

"I would like member states of the Commonwealth, my colleague foreign ministers, to reassess the situation, to hear from us and hopefully come to the conclusion that we should not delay the readmission of Nigeria into the Commonwealth."

Nigeria was suspended as a Commonwealth member and economic sanctions imposed on it following the executions of author Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight minority rights activists under the late dictator Sani Abacha.

General Abubakar, who came to power on Mr Abacha's sudden death in June, has tried to end Nigeria's pariah status by freeing political prisoners and promising a return to genuine democracy.

Correspondents say, however, that some people still believe human rights are being violated, and members of CMAG have doubts that the promised restoration of democracy through elections will be credible.

CMAG has been meeting in London to review developments in Nigeria and how to assist its transition to democracy.

Set up to deal with serious violations of democratic principles by Commonwealth member states, it has also been discussing the situations in the Gambia and Sierra Leone.

Relevant Stories

Nigeria under Commonwealth spotlight (02 Mar 98 | Despatches)
Nigerian leader's foreign foray (22 Sep 98 | Africa)
Nigeria tastes freedom (21 Sep 98 | From Our Own Correspondent)

Internet Links

Nigeria.Com
Africa News Online
Nigeria (CIA Factbook)
The Commonwealth

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