Nigeria: June 15, 2002

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The population continues to simmer over government corruption and ethnic and religious animosities. The nation continues to move towards a north (Moslem)/south (Christian) split, with numerous smaller spats along tribal lines. As medieval as Islamic Sharia law appears to be, it is the only form of law that northerners feel can be applied fairly. But so far, those who are applying Sharia are doing so against low level offenders, not corrupt government officials. There is a national despair that leads educated and able people to try and leave for America or Europe rather than trying to organize a revolution that works. The 1999 toppling of the military government has led to three years of disappointment. The elections next year do not appear likely to change anything.