May 28, 1999 (7:50 p.m. EDT) No. 125

KILGOUR TO ATTEND INAUGURATION

OF NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour will travel to Abuja, Nigeria, for the inauguration of Nigeria's new President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on May 29, 1999.

"The installation of a civilian government is a momentous event for Nigeria," said Mr. Kilgour. "Canada has helped with the transition from military to civilian rule, and is committed to working closely with Nigeria directly and through various international organizations to assist in consolidating its democratic gains."

Minister Axworthy visited Nigeria in January to see first-hand how the transition process was progressing and to support the constructive measures taken by the interim administration of General Abubakar. Since the beginning of the political transition which started in mid-1998, Canada has provided $1.25 million for elections. Canada has also sent election observers and technical experts as part of a Commonwealth initiative and in co-operation with the European Union.

Nigeria will be reintegrated into the Commonwealth on the same day as the inauguration. Its full membership in the organization was suspended at the 1995 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in New Zealand, following serious violations of democracy and human rights by Nigeria. Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed to restore Nigeria's membership upon the recommendation of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), of which Canada is a member and in which it has played a leading role.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Tasha Stefanis

Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)

(613) 944-2162

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874