SPEECHES

Chargé d' Affaires Thomas P. Furey
Remarks
Launch of the Electoral Violence Education and Resolution (EVER) Project
By the Nigeria Alliance for Peaceful Elections (NAPE) and USAID/IFES

March 12, 2007, 10:30 a.m.
Abuja

Protocols.

Today’s launch of the Electoral Violence Education and Resolution Project by the Nigerian Alliance for Peaceful Elections represents a critical step in the preparation for elections that will be held April 14th and 21st, 2007.

It is my pleasure to be here this morning to represent the Ambassador in highlighting the American Government’s support for peaceful and credible elections and the strengthening of democratic governance in Nigeria.

The last several weeks have witnessed candidates campaigning from many diverse and different political parties.

With the passage of the 2006 Electoral Act, the legal framework for the electoral process is now established and INEC has been working diligently to prepare for the elections.

However, the preparations so far made can be undermined, and the electoral process itself threatened, by violence.

Violent expression of political will is unnecessary, unacceptable and illegal. 

Electoral violence not only threatens the credibility of elections but also damages the legitimacy of democratic institutions by weakening two fundamental human rights: freedom of association and freedom of speech.

Furthermore, with violence comes destruction of property and businesses, which negatively impacts economic progress and development.

And, most importantly, let us not forget the human toll.

As the West African proverb says, “When you throw a stone in the market place, it lands on your kinsman.”

Election violence affects everyone – families, communities, and the entire nation.

It is for this reason that I welcome this effort to launch the Election Violence Education and Resolution methodology, which will be used by the Nigeria Alliance for Peaceful Elections to monitor, report, analyze and mitigate incidences of electoral violence.

On behalf of the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, I am hopeful that this effort will give further impetus to a national commitment to prevent violence during elections.

Nigeria has a strong constituency for peace.

From local-level initiatives to state and regionally organized efforts, individuals, communities and government institutions are working tirelessly to conduct peaceful, free and fair elections next month.

I would also like to tell you about the support the American Government is providing through our U.S. Agency for International Development for the elections.

We are working to strengthen the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission to manage and administer free and fair elections, through our partner IFES (formerly the International Foundation for Elections Systems).

We are also working with the National Democratic Institute to strengthen capacity of civil society to observe the elections.

And we have partnered with the International Republican Institute to work with political parties to enhance professionalism, with the aim of increasing transparency, and reduce electoral violence.

The American people are proud of their friendship with Nigeria, and we whole-heartedly support your efforts to conduct peaceful and credible elections in April 2007.

I wish to recognize all of you here, who have made this your life’s work – often at great sacrifice.

I trust that with the wealth of experience present here today, partnerships will be made that will help ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria next month.

It has been a pleasure to have this opportunity to speak to you today.

I wish you all the best in your deliberations.

Thank you.