Engagement, not interference

Our ‘Good Offices’ work in Commonwealth countries always follows an invitation from a member government. At their meeting in Australia in 2002, Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed on a general procedure to deal with situations where a complete derogation of democracy and constitutional rule by military intervention or otherwise had not occurred, but where serious or persistent violations of the Harare Principles had taken place.

Where a member government or the Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office is concerned that such a situation has arisen, or may be about to arise, these concerns are generally brought to the attention of the Secretary-General highlighting if action may be required. The Secretary-General would then share any such concerns with the country in which problems have been reported, and allow the government an opportunity to respond to the issues raised. Should the Secretary-General decide it necessary, she/he would then apply his/her ‘Good Offices’, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office, where warranted, to encourage the country concerned to return to full compliance with the Harare Principles. If such Good Offices engagements do not resolve the dispute, then the situation in question may be referred to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). (Click here for definition of CMAG)