Ghana

The presidential party first touches down in Ghana, where President Jerry Rawlings is overseeing a good transition toward constitutionalism. The biggest problem in Ghana's neighborhood is Nigeria. Under Gen. Sani Abacha, the Nigerian government is supposed to be carrying out a "transition program" to democracy and holding elections in October 1998. But its repressive policies have continued unabated (Please click here to read detailed information on Nigeria, contained in a press packet for the Pope's imminent trip to Lagos). Washington failed in 1995 and 1996 to organize multilateral sanctions against the Abacha regime, and now there are signs the administration may be softening its stance on Nigeria, perhaps in the hope of better cooperation on drug enforcement and aviation safety. Strong pressure from America oil companies active in Nigeria has also helped paralyze U.S. policy.

Question: The Clinton administration has been engaged in a long review of its policy toward Nigeria. What are the results of this review? What is U.S. policy toward Nigeria?

Question: Does the U.S., and does Ghana, view the Nigerian role in regional peacekeeping as a positive or a negative development? Why have they not criticized the human rights abuses committed by Nigerian peacekeepers in Liberia and Sierra Leone?

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