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vide an agenda setting document which in turn is expected to promote a
national dialogue.
The other major component of the Nigerian programme has involved
assistance to the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission
(HRVIC) which was set up by President Obasanjo in June 1999. In response
to the Commission’s request, IDEA provided international comparative
experience to enable the Commission to clarify its mandate, set up
its structures, and develop an appropriate strategy and methodology.
Some of the outputs of the programme in Nigeria are: a) country-wide
consultations for Democracy Assessment were carried out; b) the Report of
the Democracy Assessment has been completed and widely disseminated
and debated across the country; c) a network of international experts was
established for possible assistance to the Nigerian constitutional reform process.
Several constitutional reform activities and processes using the experiences
of the international team of experts have since been held; d) a round
table was organized for HRVIC on international comparative experiences
in redressing human rights abuses in the context of national reconciliation;
and e) a study visit was organized for HRVIC to the South African Truth
and Reconciliation Commission.
The most important outcomes are: a) through the Democracy Assessment
project which used a participatory process of dialogue and consultation,
Nigeria’s main democratic challenges and opportunities have been identified,
and recommendations made for democratic reforms; b) an agenda for
democratic reforms has been set for a national dialogue in the consolidation
of democracy in Nigeria; c) networking amongst pro-democracy activists
and scholars has been enhanced; d) Nigerian ownership of the Democracy
Assessment project and process has been cultivated; and e) HRVIC’s capacity
to carry out its mandate was strengthened.
Relevance: The programme in Nigeria is based on a sound understanding
and appraisal of the Nigerian political scenario and dynamics. This understanding
and appraisal were gained through several fact finding and feasibility
missions to Nigeria which involved consultations with a wide crosssection
of Nigerian stakeholders engaged in the democratic process. Through
this process, IDEA undertook a systematic and thorough risk-assessment of
its possible interventions.
Sustainability: The domestic policy and the national institutional environment
arising out of President Obasanjo’s commitment to building democracy
and some actions already taken by him are certainly conducive to
the maintaining of the programme’s results. The international environment
is equally conducive to the maintaining of results whereby a number of
multilateral and bilateral agencies and private foundations are actively involved
in providing assistance in support of the various aspects of the democratization
process.
Although Nigerians have developed ownership of the Democracy As-