US: Nigeria’s Democracy Fragile

• Says it faces uncertainty ahead 2011 Polls
• Aliyu: Country showing signs of a failed state

Nigeria is among African states where democracy remains “fragile or tenuous”, according to the United States Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Johnnie Carson. Carson said this when he appeared before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, Washington, DC,.

“Although political progress has been made, Nigeria still faces significant political challenges and uncertainty in the run-up to the next presidential and national assembly elections in 2011.

“It is important that Nigeria improve its electoral system, reinvigorate its economy and resolve the conflicts in the Niger Delta and end communal violence and impunity in Plateau State. It is also critically important that all of Nigeria’s leaders act responsibly and reaffirm their commitment to good governance, stability and democracy by choosing constitutional rule,” he said.

The US top official said, “Some scholars and political analysts are saying that democracy in Africa has reached a plateau, and that we may be witnessing the beginning of a democratic recession. They point to flawed presidential elections in places like Kenya, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe; the attempts by leaders in Niger, Uganda, and Cameroon to extend their terms of office; and the re-emergence of military interventionism in Guinea, Madagascar, and Niger. “Moreover, democracy remains fragile or tenuous in states like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and arguably Africa’s most important country, Nigeria, which continues to experience political tensions caused by the prolonged illness of President Yar’Adua.”

He said while the United States welcomes President Yar’Adua’s recent return to Nigeria, it however, “remains concerned that there may be some in Nigeria who are putting their personal ambitions above the health of the President and more importantly ahead of the political stability and political health of the country.”

Carson said during his recent visit to Nigeria, he was encouraged by the steps Nigeria’s elected officials at the national and state level had taken to elevate Goodluck Jonathan to Acting President.

Nigeria, he said, “ is simply too important to Africa and too important to the US and the international community for us not to be concerned and engaged. Widespread instability in Nigeria could have a tsunami-like ripple effect across West Africa and the global community.”

In another development, Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who is also Chairman, Northern Governors Forum (NGF), has said the inability of leaders in Nigeria to provide electricity, water, roads, and with an almost comatose economy and killings for no reason, confirms the presence of elements of a failed state.

Babangida said if in the year 2010, and after almost 50 years of independence, Nigeria is still witnessing all forms of negative development, while its mates are manufacturing airplanes and automobiles, then Nigeria leaders need to do more than they are presently doing.

He spoke yesterday in Kaduna, at the opening of the 19 Northern Governors Forum meeting attended by 11 governors and four deputies, with the remaining four governors represented by secretaries to state governments.
He urged Nigerians to cooperate with whatever government they find at any particular time, adding that all the 19 northern governors pledged their loyalty to the Nigerian Constitution.

Aliyu expressed worry over increasing cases of begging and prostitution in Saudi Arabia by Nigerians, especially people from the northern states, saying it was damaging the image of Nigeria and Nigerians.

He said, “our nation is indeed going through interesting and challenging times, requiring our collective sense of patriotism, political maturity, dexterity and innovation in governance. We must, therefore, continue to appreciate the norms of our society, while we also continue to respect our Constitution and play according to the rule of the game, to engender political stability and sustainable development in our great nation.

“This is indeed a moment for sober reflection as a nation and as leaders, for almost 50 years after political independence, we are still witnessing carnage of the kind in Plateau State when other nations in the same league with us at the time of our independence are today manufacturing airplanes and automobiles."

He added: “Nigeria, Guinea and other African countries need civilian governments that deliver services to their people, independent judiciaries that respect and enforce the rule of law, professional security forces that respect human rights, strong and effective legislative institutions, a free and responsible press, and a dynamic civil society. This is not a list of options or some menu from which governments and leaders may pick and choose to suit their own ambitions. There has been far too much of that behavior in the past. Rather, all of these rights are requirements for a stable and prosperous Africa that will help ensure a brighter future for the African people.”

According to him, the political and economic success of Africa depends a great deal on the effectiveness, sustainability, and reliability of its democratic institutions, adding, “that means a focus on process and progress, not on personalities. African leaders must recognise that the United States is engaging and building long-term ties with their countries and not just with them. Credible, strong, and independent institutions are the key to this deeper relationship.”

He noted that over the next two years, 27 countries in sub-Saharan Africa will hold elections, adding that US would encourage those governments to get it right, to level the playing field, clean up the voter rolls, open up the media, count the votes fairly, and give democracy a chance.

To stay abreast of developments in these important contests, he said he had instituted a monthly meeting with NGO’s to discuss upcoming elections, including sharing experiences and best practices, and ensuring that scarce resources are equitably spread throughout the continent.

Carson said, “Although elections are but one component in the process of democratisation, there is a strong correlation between electoral processes, including strong and independent electoral institutions, successful elections, and efforts to consolidate democracy. And there is strong evidence that suggests that democratic governments perform better economically”.

Commenting further on the fate of the continent, he said Africa’s future success and global importance are dependent on its continued economic progress. He said that countries like Mauritius, Ghana, Rwanda, Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Cape Verde have made significant economic strides, yet Africa remains the poorest and most vulnerable continent on the globe.

While speaking on US new programs and initiatives to implement policies on partnership with Africa, he said his country is establishing in-depth, high level dialogues with Nigeria, South Africa, Angola and with the African Union. At the same time, he said the US is increasing its cooperation with other countries interested in Africa such as Canada, the U.K., France, China, Japan, and multilateral bodies like the EU.

He also gave a hint that US consulates would be expanded in African countries beyond the capital cities, citing Kano in Nigeria as one of such cities.

“I am working with the administration and Congress to increase resources – both funding and people – at our embassies and consulates. I want more American diplomats living and working in Africa. An increased diplomatic presence is important for our mutual progress on all of these pressing issues. It is my sincere desire to open more consulates in Africa, which will enable us to reach your citizens beyond the capital cities.

“We must be in Mombasa as well as Nairobi, we must be in Goma as well as Kinshasa, and we will be in Kano as well as Abuja,” Carson stated.


From ThisDay by Tokunbo Adedoja in New York and Reuben Buhari in Kaduna, 03.26.2010