MEDIA RELEASE

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ALEXANDER DOWNER

29 May 1999

Australia Welcomes Nigeria's Resumption Of Full Commonwealth Membership

I would like to join with other Commonwealth countries in offering my congratulations to Nigeria today, 29 May 1999, as it resumes full membership of the Commonwealth.

The Governor-General and Prime Minister have both sent messages to President Obasanjo congratulating him upon his inauguration today, which will mark the restoration of civilian rule in Nigeria.

Australia appreciates the challenges facing Nigeria at present and wishes President Obasanjo and the Nigerian government every success for the future.

The transition to democratic, civilian rule in Nigeria, after many years of military rule, has been a remarkable achievement. I would like to acknowledge the role played by General Abubakar, the previous Nigerian Head of State, in facilitating this process.

Australia looks forward to seeing Nigeria resume its place at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban in November 1999.

Note to Editors (Background Information):

Nigeria's membership of the Commonwealth was suspended by Commonwealth Heads of Government (with the exception of The Gambia) at their meeting in Auckland in November 1995 for serious violations of the prinicples set out in the Harare Declaration. Following the death of General Abacha in June 1998, General Abubakar became Nigerian Head of State and moved quickly to commit himself to a restoration of democracy. Political prisoners were released and a timetable for elections was established. Presidential elections were held on 27 February 1999 and were won by Olusegun Obasanjo with approximately 62% of the vote.