Advocacy within the Commonwealth

Seventeenth Meeting of The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
On The Harare Declaration (CMAG), Marlborough House
20 December 2001

Concluding Statement

1. Members of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) met in London on 20 December 2001. The participants were: the Hon Lt. General Mompati Merafhe, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Botswana (Chairman); the Hon Alexander Downer MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia; the Hon Morshed Khan, MP, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh; the Hon Billie Miller, MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados (Vice-Chairperson); the Hon, John Manley, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada; the Hon Tan Sri Dato' Musa bin Hitam, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Malaysia to CMAG; the Hon Sule Lamido, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria; and the Rt. Hon Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom.

Fiji Islands

2. CMAG reviewed developments in Fiji Islands since its last meeting on 3-4 September. It welcomed the report of the Commonwealth Observer Group, chaired by Sir Henry Forde QC MP, which concluded that "conditions did exist for a free expression of will by the electors and that the elections could command the confidence of the people of Fiji". The Group also received reports from the Secretary-General on his recent visit and on the work of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Justice Pius Langa.

3. CMAG expressed satisfaction at the holding of the elections, well within the two-year time-frame laid down in the Millbrook Action Programme, and welcomed the progress that had been made so far in restoring democracy to Fiji.

4. In recognition of this progress, CMAG decided that Fiji's suspension from the Councils of the Commonwealth should be lifted. It noted that a case to determine the constitutionality of the formation of Prime Minister Qarase's Government is currently before the Fiji Courts. The Group concluded that pending a ruling on this case, Fiji should remain on the CMAG agenda so that CMAG and the Secretary-General could continue to monitor the situation, and that his Special Envoy, Mr Justice Langa, should remain engaged.

The Gambia

5. CMAG discussed the situation in The Gambia. It noted that in line with the decision at their last meeting on 3-4 September 2001, The Gambia had ceased to be on CMAG's formal agenda with the coming into force of the repeal of the Schedule to Decree 89.

Pakistan

6. CMAG reviewed the situation in Pakistan and noted President Musharraf's statement of 10 November 2001, reiterating his commitment to Provincial and National Assembly elections by October 2002. It reaffirmed its support for the restoration of democracy in keeping with the Pakistan Government's roadmap. The Group also welcomed the Secretary-General's continuing engagement with the Government of Pakistan to provide technical assistance towards the restoration of democracy.

Solomon Islands

7. CMAG reviewed developments in Solomon Islands, noting in particular the National Elections held on 5 December 2001. It welcomed the report of the Commonwealth Observer Group, chaired by Mr Bowen Wells, present for the elections, which concluded that "overall the outcome of the elections succeeded in expressing the will of the people". The Group commended the role of Governments in the region for their support in assisting with the conduct of the elections and noted the continued importance of the International Peace Monitoring Team in Solomon Islands.

8. CMAG offered its support to the new Government of Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza and noted that much remains to be done to consolidate peace and stability in Solomon Islands.

9. The Group requested the Secretary-General to continue to monitor the situation in Solomon Islands and to report to its next meeting on progress towards the achievement of stability, good governance and economic development in the country.

Zimbabwe

10. CMAG used the occasion of its Meeting to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe. It recalled that on three previous occasions the Group had expressed concern about conditions in Zimbabwe.

11. The Group reaffirmed its full support for the process established by the Abuja Agreement, reached at the initiative of President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, and expressed its deep appreciation for the President's ongoing mediation efforts. It also expressed its support for the initiative by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as the involvement of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in assisting with land reform in Zimbabwe.

12. CMAG noted that the repeated efforts of the Secretary-General to engage with the Government of Zimbabwe had been unsuccessful. It also noted that the Government of Zimbabwe had not agreed to receive a Commonwealth Ministerial Mission proposed by CMAG in the Commonwealth spirit of dialogue and co-operation.

13. The Group reiterated its deep concern about the ongoing situation in Zimbabwe especially the continued violence, occupation of property, actions against the freedom and independence of the media and political intimidation. It agreed that the situation in Zimbabwe constitutes a serious and persistent violation of the Commonwealth's fundamental political values and the rule of law as enshrined in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration.

14. CMAG agreed to draw the attention of the Government of Zimbabwe to its commitments under the Abuja Agreement and under the Harare Commonwealth Declaration. It strongly urged the Government of Zimbabwe to proceed vigorously with implementation of these commitments.

15. The Group noted the public indication by the Government of Zimbabwe of its willingness to invite international observers, including from SADC, the OAU, CARICOM and the Commonwealth, to be present for the forthcoming Presidential Elections. It expressed the expectation that formal invitations will be issued in sufficient time for an early deployment of such observers.

16. CMAG decided to include Zimbabwe on its formal agenda and to review the situation in that country at its next meeting on 30 January 2002.

Next Meeting

17. The Group agreed that it would convene in London for its next meeting on 30 January 2002.

Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
London SW1

20 December 2001

01/84 20 December 2001