UK (Commonwealth Union)_ On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the 63rd Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) convened to deliberate on the evolving situations within member states. Established in 1995, CMAG’s primary mandate is to safeguard the core political principles and values that the Commonwealth upholds. Its composition comprises a rotating cadre of foreign ministers from eight diverse countries, spanning various regions, and the foreign minister of the Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office, who is also the host of the previous Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The session was presided over by the Honorable Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, who serves as the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Tourism of Samoa. Further in attendance were ministers from Barbados, Canada, Ghana, Mauritius, and Rwanda, along with representatives from Belize, Malaysia, and Malta.
Outlined within the CMAG’s conclusive statement was a collective expression of concern regarding the political situation in Gabon. The ministers unequivocally denounced the unconstitutional removal of the duly elected government and fervently advocated for the restoration of democracy. They also extended commendations to the Secretary-General for her prompt assessment of the situation and her invaluable technical support for the transitional processes. The statement read, “Ministers expressed the collective concern of the Commonwealth on the political situation in Gabon, strongly condemned the unconstitutional removal of the elected government from office and called for the restoration of democracy. Ministers commended the Secretary General’s prompt assessment of the situation and technical assistance to the transition processes”.
In accordance with the prescribed steps delineated in the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme on the Harare Declaration, the ministers resolved to partially suspend Gabon’s membership in the Commonwealth, contingent upon the reinstatement of democratic governance. This partial suspension encompasses exclusion from Commonwealth Councils and exclusion from participation in all Commonwealth intergovernmental gatherings and events, including ministerial conferences and CHOGM meetings.
The statement added, “The Group thanked the Secretary-General for her Good Offices in seeking a democratic solution to the situation in Gabon. In accordance with the steps set out in the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme on the Harare Declaration, the Ministers decided to partially suspend Gabon from the Commonwealth pending the restoration of democracy. This partial suspension entails suspension from the Councils of the Commonwealth, and the exclusion of Gabon from all Commonwealth intergovernmental meetings and events, including ministerial meetings and CHOGM”.
Furthermore, the ministers underscored that if substantial progress is not discernible within a span of two years, serious consideration will be given to the complete suspension of Gabon from Commonwealth membership. They beseeched the Secretary-General to persist in her Good Offices engagement with Gabon, which encompasses providing technical assistance, with the aim of rectifying the situation and facilitating Gabon’s return to democratic governance. It added, “Further, Ministers determined that if acceptable progress is not made within two years, consideration will be given to fully suspending Gabon from membership of the Commonwealth. The Ministers urged the Secretary-General to continue her Good Offices engagement with Gabon, including providing technical assistance, with a view to redressing the situation and facilitating Gabon’s return to democracy”.
Emphasizing Gabon’s status as a Commonwealth member, the Group urged the nation to uphold the cherished values and principles of the Commonwealth and to expedite credible elections within a stipulated period of two years from August 30, 2023. In a final entreaty, the Group called upon Gabon to ensure the personal integrity, safety, health, and human rights of former President Ali Bongo Ondimba, his family members, and former government officials. The statement concluded by saying, “The Group called upon Gabon as a Commonwealth member, to uphold the values and principles of the Commonwealth and to hold credible elections as soon as possible and within a maximum of two years from 30 August 2023. The Group called upon Gabon to guarantee the personal integrity, safety, health and human rights of former President Ali Bongo Ondimba, his family members and members of his Government.”
It is important to note that CMAG meetings are convened under the aegis of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, with the Commonwealth Secretariat offering vital administrative support throughout the process.
