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Africa: Commonwealth Statement
Africa: Commonwealth Statement
Date distributed (ymd): 970727
Document reposted by APIC
This posting contains the Concluding Statement from the July 10-11,
1997 meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). CMAG
was established by Commonwealth leaders when they last met in New Zealand
in November 1995 to deal with serious or persistent violations of the Harare
Declaration, the statement of Commonwealth principles drawn up in 1991.
These include a commitment to democracy, good governance, human rights
and the rule of law.
CMAG comprises Ministers from Britain, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malaysia,
New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe. It is chaired by the Hon. Dr Stan
Mudenge, Foreign Minister of Zimbabwe.
For more information, contact:
Information and Public Affairs Division Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House, Pall Mall
London SW1Y 5HX, Britain
Tel: +171 839 3411; Fax: +171 839 9081
Web: http://www.thecommonwealth.org
The Amnesty International memorandum on Nigeria submitted to the CMAG
meeting is available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/aipub/1997/AFR/14400897.htm.
Commonwealth News Release
11 July 1997
SEVENTH MEETING OF THE COMMONWEALTH MINISTERIAL ACTION GROUP
ON THE HARARE DECLARATION (CMAG)
Marlborough House, 10-11 July 1997
CONCLUDING STATEMENT
1. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration
(CMAG) held its seventh meeting at Marlborough House in London on 10-11
July 1997 to review developments in the Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone
and to consider preparations for its Report to the October 1997 Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The Gambia
2. The Group welcomed the report of the Commonwealth Secretariat Assessment
Mission which visited The Gambia on 24-27 March 1997 and requested the
Secretary-General to implement its recommendations for technical assistance
in consolidating the democratic transition.
3. At the same time, it reiterated its previous concern about the lack
of a fully inclusive political system in the Gambia. In that context, CMAG
urged the Government of The Gambia to remove without further delay the
ban on certain political parties and individuals contained in Decree No.
89 and, in the political environment so created, demonstrate its stated
commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Furthermore, CMAG called
on the Government of The Gambia to investigate allegations of harassment
of the Opposition.
Nigeria
4. Recalling the statement made by its Chairman in Abuja in November
1996 that "CMAG will, in pursuance of its mandate, remain engaged
with Nigeria and seek to have access to the widest possible cross-section
of views from Nigeria", the Group received oral presentations from
a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and representatives of
Nigerian civil society. These included four Nigerian NGOs, viz. the National
Democratic Coalition of Nigeria, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni
People, the Democratic Alliance of Women in Nigeria, and the Civil Liberties
Organisation. CMAG also heard representations from three pan-Commonwealth
organisations - namely, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, the Commonwealth
Trade Union Council and the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association - as well
as from three international groups, viz Amnesty International, Article
19 (which also represented Human Rights Watch/Africa) and the International
Crisis Group.
5. The representations made to CMAG expressed strong concerns over what
was seen as a deteriorating situation in respect of human rights and the
rule of law in Nigeria. Equally strong concerns were raised about the Nigerian
Government's transition programme, which is perceived as being pursued
without unfettered and free participation, as well as its likely outcome.
The representation also raised the question of the growing numbers of Nigerian
exiles in neighbouring and other countries and their need for assistance.
CMAG was urged by all to recommend the CHOGM more effective measures to
be taken by the Commonwealth and the wider international community to persuade
Nigeria to live up to its commitments under the Harare Commonwealth Declaration.
6. The information which CMAG gathered from these exchanges with the
NGOs was considered to be extremely useful and will, along with the information
already gathered from the Nigerian Government and other sources, inform
the Group's deliberations and eventual recommendations to Commonwealth
Heads of Government.
Sierra Leone
7. CMAG, recalling statements by its Chairman and the Commonwealth Secretary-General
and by others, including the Summit of the Organisation of African Unity,
condemned the military "coup d'etat" of 25 May 1997 in Sierra
Leone which resulted in the overthrow of the democratically elected government.
The Group called for the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the
democratically elected government of Sierra Leone under President Tejan
Kabbah. It urged the international community to continue to deny recognition
to the present illegal regime in Freetown and decided, in accordance with
the Milbrook Action Programme, that pending the restoration of the legitimate
government, the participation of Sierra Leone in the councils of the Commonwealth
would be suspended.
8. The Group welcomed the efforts to restore the legitimate Government
of Sierra Leone currently being undertaken by the Economic Community of
West African States. At the same time, the Group took note that these efforts
were being taken in accordance with the decision taken by the OAU and that
they were being carried out in co-ordination with the United Nations. CMAG
called on the international community fully to support the objectives of
these efforts.
Next meeting
9. CMAG decided to hold its next meeting in London on 11-12 September
1997 to formulate its recommendations to CHOGM.
This material is being reposted for wider distribution by the Africa
Policy Information Center (APIC), the educational affiliate of the Washington
Office on Africa. APIC's primary objective is to widen the policy debate
in the United States around African issues and the U.S. role in Africa,
by concentrating on providing accessible policy-relevant information and
analysis usable by a wide range of groups and individuals.
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