III 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 611 

Supporting the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission 

of the Government of Nigeria, political parties, civil society, religious 

organizations, and the people of Nigeria, to facilitate the first democratic 

transition of Nigeria from one civilian government to another in the 

general elections to be held in April 2007. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 30 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 29), 2006 

Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself, Mr. HAGEL, Ms. LANDRIEU, and Mr. DEWINE) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the efforts of the Independent National Electoral 

Commission of the Government of Nigeria, political parties, civil society, religious organizations, and the people 

of Nigeria, to facilitate the first democratic transition 

of Nigeria from one civilian government to another in 

the general elections to be held in April 2007. 

Whereas the United States maintains strong and friendly relations with Nigeria and values the leadership role that 

Nigeria plays throughout the continent of Africa, particularly in the establishment of the New Partnership for African Development and the African Union; 


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•SRES 611 IS 

Whereas Nigeria is an important strategic partner with the 

United States in combating terrorism, promoting regional 

stability, and improving energy security; 

Whereas Nigeria has been, and continues to be, a leading 

supporter of the peacekeeping efforts of the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African 

States by contributing troops to operations in Lebanon, 

Yugoslavia, Kuwait, the Democratic Republic of Congo, 

Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Rwanda, and Sudan; 

Whereas past corruption and poor governance have resulted 

in weak political institutions, crumbling infrastructure, a 

feeble economy, and an impoverished population; 

Whereas political aspirants and the democratic process of Nigeria are being threatened by increasing politically-motivated violence, including the assassination of 3 gubernatorial candidates in different states during the previous 

2 months; and 

Whereas the Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission has— 

(1) announced that governorship and state assembly 

elections will be held on April 14, 2007; 

(2) stated that voting for the president and national 

assembly will take place on April 21, 2007; and 

(3) vowed to organize free and fair elections to facilitate a smooth democratic transition: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the importance of Nigeria as a 

3 strategic partner and long-time friend of the United 

4 States; 


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•SRES 611 IS 

1 (2) acknowledges the increasing significance of 

2 the leadership of Nigeria throughout the region and 

3 continent; 

4 (3) commends the decision of the National As5 sembly of Nigeria to reject an amendment to the 

6 constitution that would have lifted the existing 2- 

7 term limit and allowed for a third presidential term; 

8 (4) encourages the Government of Nigeria and 

9 the Independent National Electoral Commission to 

10 demonstrate a commitment to successful democratic 

11 elections by— 

12 (A) developing an aggressive plan for voter 

13 registration and education; 

14 (B) addressing charges of past or intended 

15 corruption in a transparent manner; and 

16 (C) conducting objective and unbiased re17 cruitment and training of election officials; 

18 (5) urges the Government of Nigeria to respect 

19 the freedoms of association and assembly, including 

20 the right of candidates, members of political parties, 

21 and others— 

22 (A) to freely assemble; 

23 (B) to organize and conduct public events; 

24 and 


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1 (C) to exercise those and other rights in a 

2 manner free from intimidation or harassment; 

3 (6) urges a robust effort by the law enforce4 ment and judicial officials of Nigeria to enforce the 

5 rule of law, particularly by— 

6 (A) preventing and investigating politically7 motivated violence; and 

8 (B) prosecuting those suspected of such 

9 acts; 

10 (7) urges— 

11 (A) President Bush to ensure that the 

12 United States supports the democratic gains 

13 made in Nigeria during the last 8 years; and 

14 (B) the Government of Nigeria to actively 

15 seek the support of the international community 

16 for democratic, free, and fair elections in April 

17 2007; and 

18 (8) expresses the support of the United States 

19 for coordinated efforts by the Government of Nigeria 

20 and the Independent National Electoral Commission 

21 to work with political parties, civil society, religious 

22 organizations, and other entities to organize a peace23 ful political transition based on free and fair elecVerDate Aug 31 2005 02:20 Oct 02, 2006 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR611.IS SR611

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•SRES 611 IS 

1 tions in April 2007 to further consolidate the democ2 racy of Nigeria. 

Æ 


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