The ruling soldiers believes that selling state assets will win them friends and influence
The government is pushing ahead with its sale of state assets in the hope of reaping political and economic dividends. First to come to market will be the state-owned electricity generating company (Nepa) and telecommunications company (Nitel). Shares in both of these are to be issued on the Lagos and Kaduna stock exchanges, which are currently little bigger than Ghana's stock exchange down the coast. A flurry of national publicity is planned, almost along the lines of a political campaign. Special share schemes for workers and consumers are also being considered as a way of making the sale politically palatable.
The military announce five new parties and six new states but leave key questions open
Alongside General Sani Abacha's bold plans to sell the state oil and gas companies, plans for his political transition are becoming clearer. Above all, the government is determined...
A peace deal of sorts has been struck as some of the old grudges are buried
Things had to change with the death of General Mohamed Farah Hassan 'Aydeed' on 1 August. The three main faction leaders – all Hawiye – may have begun...