Dialogue and Assistance

We promote political dialogue to foster greater democratic space for political parties and civil society to prevent or resolve conflict in countries of engagement.

Political dialogue helps cultivate greater democratic space for such actors to engage with each other, air grievances and work out possible ways of addressing them. This process is often facilitated by an experienced external person such as a Special Envoy. As soon as conflict indicators are identified and when invited by the member Government, we initiate a process to begin a dialogue with and between parties.

We also provide technical assistance in a range of areas to member countries. When Cameroon joined the Commonwealth in 1995 for example, they requested assistance in electoral and judicial reforms. Consequently, the Secretary-General assigned a Special Envoy to work with the Government on a wide-ranging number of areas of reform.

Examples of our work on promoting dialogue and providing technical assistance include:

• Using discussions to build understanding and provide momentum for relevant figures to develop and advance agreements such as the Kenya National Peace Accord, the ‘Mwafaka’ Peace Agreement between Zanzibar and the national government of Tanzania, and the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding between political parties in The Gambia.

• Collaboration with, and provision of technical specialists to build the ability of key institutions such as election management bodies, the judiciary, human rights institutions and parliament. Examples include our work with key Government ministries, the judiciary and legislature, as appropriate, on constitutional reforms in Guyana, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Tonga.

• We are working closely with the UN to build on the work of Sir Paul Reeves, the Special Representative on Fiji Islands, in facilitating a political dialogue to assist Fiji in its efforts to return to full constitutional and civilian democracy. The dialogue will address a broad agenda including electoral, constitutional and legislative reforms.

• We have provided the government of Cameroon with technical assistance in developing and implementing judicial and penal reforms, such as judicial computerisation and development of detainee/prisoner database, as well as the development of penal codes, support for the establishment of a Human Rights Commission, and training for judicial officers and human rights commissioners.