The European Union arms embargo on Nigeria

On 10 November 1995 Nigeria executed nine pro-democracy campaigners. The nine included Ken Saro-Wiwa, leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni Peoples, which campaigned against oil pollution by the multinational company Shell in the Niger Delta. Therefore, Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth, became diplomatically isolated, and an arms embargo has been imposed by the European Union (Common position 95/515/CFSP of 20 November 1995) and the United States. Other measures contained the restriction of travel on military personnel and politicians and a ban on sporting contacts.

The European Union restored cooperation with Nigeria on 17 May 1999 (Council Decision of 17 May 1999). A return to democracy was a condition for lifting the sanctions,

The EU said renewed cooperation with Nigeria would focus mainly on ending poverty and corruption, strengthening democracy and good government.


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