Fiji suspended from Commonwealth councils

Fiji’s military regime has been suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth, pending the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in the country.

In a statement issued after an extraordinary meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) in London, UK, on 8 December 2006, the group “unanimously and unequivocally condemned the military takeover of Fiji’s democratically-elected government”.

The group requested Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon to “deploy his good offices as appropriate and in consultation with the Chairperson of CMAG (Malta’s Foreign Minister Dr Michael Frendo), including the possibility of a mission to Fiji Islands to press for the immediate restoration of democracy.”

CMAG expressed its solidarity with the people of Fiji and concern for their economic welfare and well-being. It also commended the efforts of Pacific regional governments to promote dialogue and the resolution of political differences prior to the coup.

The full text of CMAG’s statement is available here.

Key Links:

• Secretary-General
• Country Profile: Fiji Islands
• CMAG
• Millbrook Action Plan