Yar’Adua: US, Britain, EU, Express Support For Constitutional Solution

PHOTO: SECRETARY HILARY CLINTON WITH BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, DAVID MILIBAND IN LONDON ON THURSDAY. IMAGE US DOS.

San Francisco Jan 28, (THEWILL) – The west waded into Nigeria’s political crisis and the religious violence in Jos, Plateau State which has killed several hundreds.

United States Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton in a joint statement issued on Thursday in London, United Kingdom said:

“We express our deep regret at the recent violence and tragic loss of lives in Jos, and extend our sympathies to the bereaved and injured. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and seek peaceful means to resolve differences between religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria. We call on the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators of acts of violence are brought to justice and to support interethnic and interfaith dialogue.”

Addressing the current political row caused by President Umaru Yar’Adua’s illness and refusal to write the National Assembly on his medical leave as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the leaders said they were in support of constitutional efforts being sought to resolve the crisis in Africa’s most populous nation and strategic partner.

“Nigeria has expressed its resolve to adhere to constitutional processes during this difficult time. We commend that determination to address the current situation through appropriate democratic institutions. Nigeria's continued commitment and adherence to its democratic norms and values are key to addressing the many challenges it faces, including electoral reform, post-amnesty programs in the Niger Delta, economic development, inter-faith discord and transparency.”

Umaru Yar’Adua, 58, has been receiving treatment since November 23, 2009, for heart and kidney related conditions at the King Faisal Hospital in Jeddah Saudi Arabia.

This is the first time that foreign leaders have openly waded into the Nigerian political crisis. Speaking further to THEWILL, US Department of State Spokesman for Africa, Mr. Russell Brooks said the governments spoke because of the tension generated by the President’s illness.

See attachment for full statement.