Tenth Meeting of The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group On The Harare Declaration (CMAG) - Concluding Statement

1. CMAG held its tenth meeting at Marlborough House, London, on 8-9 October 1998. 

The Gambia

2. The Group reviewed recent developments in The Gambia in the context of the assurances given by the Gambian authorities at the Edinburgh CHOGM that they would further demonstrate their stated commitment to the Harare principles.  The Group welcomed the Secretariat's technical assistance in the consolidation of democratic and constitutional rule in The Gambia. The Group also welcomed the assistance that The Gambia has given to refugees fleeing from conflict areas in the region, and the role it is playing in regional peace efforts.

3. CMAG recalled that it had requested the Secretary-General, in view of its continuing concerns, to monitor developments in The Gambia, keeping the Group informed as appropriate. In the interest of national reconciliation and its programme of socio-economic development, the Group urged the Government of The Gambia to foster a more inclusive political environment, in particular by repealing the Schedule to Decree No. 89 (which proscribes certain political parties and individuals) and engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Opposition. CMAG decided that it would convey these on-going concerns to the Government of The Gambia.

Nigeria

4. The Group approved an Interim Report to Commonwealth Heads of Government in compliance with the mandate given to CMAG by the 1997 Edinburgh CHOGM.  CMAG also met with a Government of Nigeria delegation led by the Hon Mr I C Olisemeka, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is the subject of a separate Joint Statement. 

Sierra Leone

5. The Group reviewed the progress of the Government of Sierra Leone's programme of reconstruction and reconciliation, and Commonwealth initiatives to assist this programme.  The Group warmly commended the continuing role played by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), in restoring peace and security throughout Sierra Leone and in the implementation of the Government of Sierra Leone's Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration plan. In this context, CMAG urged further logistical and material assistance to ECOMOG.

6. The Group expressed grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Sierra Leone, in particular the continuing atrocities by remnants of the junta/RUF forces.  The Group condemned these outrages unreservedly. The Group also noted that the rebel forces had recently made peace overtures to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Commonwealth Secretariat, the UN, and the Organisation of African Unity - the three moral guarantors of the 1996 Abidjan Peace Agreement.  The Group called upon the rebels, as a mark of their good faith, to make an immediate statement accepting the terms for talks conveyed to them by the Commonwealth Secretary-General. These terms are: the recognition of the legitimacy and authority of the Government by the RUF; an unconditional and indefinite cessation of all hostilities; and a willingness to enter into talks to bring about an immediate end to the conflict.
                   
7. CMAG commended the Secretariat's implementation of the recommendations of the five-member CMAG Ministerial Mission which visited Sierra Leone on 31 March 1998.  CMAG wished to express its gratitude to the Government of Ghana for its assistance in facilitating the Ministerial Mission.  The Group looked forward to receiving further reports from the Secretariat's participation in the international contact group on Sierra Leone. 

8. The Group expressed its gratitude to those member governments which had participated in the Commonwealth  Police Development Task Force for Sierra Leone, and expressed the hope that further support would be forthcoming for this important Commonwealth initiative. CMAG wished to record its particular appreciation to the British Government and the Office of the UN Special Representative in Sierra Leone for their support to the Commonwealth team. 

9. The Group recommended that, with the reinstatement of a democratically elected government in Sierra Leone, which cannot be deemed to be in serious or persistent violation of the Harare principles, Sierra Leone need no longer be under its purview.  At the same time, CMAG recognised the enormous socio-economic problems and the task of national reconstruction which still persisted in Sierra Leone and encouraged the continued involvement of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and urged Commonwealth countries to render assistance through appropriate channels.

98/70 9 October, 1998