Democracy Delayed in Nigeria General Abacha Shows Clemency to Foes and Plans Return to Civilian Rule in Three Years

Paul Adams, Monitor, The Christian Science Monitor

AFTER months of pressure from the US and Europe, Nigeria's military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, commuted the death sentences of 13 alleged coup plotters and set a three-year timetable to return to civilian, democratic rule. But his move may not enough be to end international criticism and a possible threat of international sanctions. His announcement was broadcast Sunday on Nigeria's 35th anniversary of independence from Britain. And it was the first time in the nearly two years since he seized power and scrapped all democratic institutions that General Abacha has set a handover date for his regime - October 1998. The arrest and sentencing of political opponents, the …

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Publication information: Article title: Democracy Delayed in Nigeria General Abacha Shows Clemency to Foes and Plans Return to Civilian Rule in Three Years. Contributors: Paul Adams, Monitor - Author. Newspaper title: The Christian Science Monitor. Publication date: October 3, 1995. Page number: 6. © 2009 The Christian Science Publishing Society. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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