Failures at home and abroad are bad news for General Abacha's plans to run in presidential elections
All the ingredients are there: political uncertainty (about General
Sani Abacha's candidacy in next year's elections), economic collapse (fuel shortages and worse poverty than 25 years ago), armed political rivalries (Niger Delta war) and regional crisis (Sierra Leonean coup-makers who have humiliated Abacha, AC Vol 38 No 12). However, there is no effective opposition able to make political capital out of Abacha's travails; for him, the most threatening opposition still consists of serving and retired army officers. As things get worse, such officers believe, their chances of succeeding in a bid for power improve.
Finance Minister Ani says the economy is booming but no one believes it any more
First, look at the figures which General Sani Abacha prefers. Inflation was at 70 per cent in late 1995 and is now at 20 per cent. Foreign exchange reserves tripled last year to ov...
Elections are managed in the Maghreb to keep out Islamists and tempt investors
Morocco's local elections on 13 June set out the conditions for co-existence by the government and political parties. This followed February's 'gentlemen's agreement' between Inter...