Germany expects Nigeria president-elect at G8 summit
BERLIN, May 21 (Reuters) Germany expects Nigeria's President-elect Umaru Yar'Adua to attend a June summit of the Group of Eight industrialised nations despite international misgivings about the election which handed him power.
A German government spokesman said it had continued the tradition of inviting Nigeria, among other African countries, to the high profile meeting on June 6-8.
Other African countries to be represented at the summit in the Baltic Sea resort of Heiligendamm include Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, South Africa and Ghana. They include founding members of the New Partnerships for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
''We expect the new president of Nigeria to be there,'' said a spokesman for the German government, noting the invitations were issued before the Nigerian poll which drew sharp criticism from monitors.
The vote had been billed as the first fully democratic transition in a country scarred by decades of military dictatorship.
International observers said vote rigging and violence in the world's eighth biggest oil producer were so widespread that the elections were not credible and did not meet international standards.
Yar'Adua's participation would, however, give him credibility both internationally and at home.
Most big Western powers remained silent after he was declared winner, but last week, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he would work with the new president.
Washington has also said it would work with any future Nigerian government.
Germany has made it a priority of its G8 presidency to focus on tackling poverty in Africa and has vowed to ensure rich countries keep promises they made to boost aid spending at a 2005 G8 summit in Scotland.
But Western leaders stress good governance must accompany increases in aid.
Leaders from African countries will join G8 leaders on the final day of the summit, said the government spokesman.
REUTERS
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