Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
The Government of the Republic of South Africa has learnt with great shock and sadness of the news of the death of Chief Moshood Abiola.
The Government is conscious of the fact that this completely unexpected news has created a very complicated situation for the Government and people of Nigeria.
This is particularly so in the light of the courageous steps that the new Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has taken to advance the process towards Nigeria's return to democracy.
Accordingly, the Governments of the two countries have been in urgent contact to address this new and grave situation.
The South African Government is reassured that the Government of the Republic of Nigeria will take all necessary steps to assure the Nigerian people and the determination to promote the process of genuine democratisation.
The Government also fervently appeals to the people of Nigeria, and all Nigerian patriots, to respond to the unexpected passing away of Chief Moshood Abiola with restraint, to reinforce the process towards the earliest possible transformation of their country into a sustainable and stable democracy.
The Government is also convinced that, in all their actions, these patriotic forces will remain loyal to the important objective, fundamental to the Nigerian people, to ensure that their country, as a stable democracy, acts in a way that will guarantee that it plays its due and leading role in the reconstruction and development of the African Continent.
The South African Government hereby also conveys its deep-felt condolences to the Abiola Family and the Nigerian people, especially the millions who constituted his political family.
As a token of the deep respect of our Government and people for the late Chief Moshood Abiola and as an expression of our solidarity with the people of Nigeria at this critical moment, instruction shave been issued that for seven days, from July 9, 1998 to July 15, 1998, inclusive the national flag will fly at half-mast at the Union Buildings, Pretoria, the seat of government, to honour Chief Moshood Abiola.
As earlier agreed with the Government of Nigeria, Deputy President Thabo Mbeki will visit Nigeria on Thursday, July 9, 1998, during which visit he will also convey the condolences of the President, the Government and people of South Africa to the Abiola family.
8 July 1998
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