Commonwealth and Swaziland agree on new co-operation

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma concluded a three-nation visit to member states in Southern Africa, in Swaziland on 4 August 2012, with a practical roadmap on areas the Commonwealth and Swaziland will partner, to strengthen efforts to promote democracy, development and respect for diversity.

The trip, which started on 29 July 2012, also took him to Botswana and Namibia.

Speaking to journalists before departing Swaziland on 4 August, the Secretary-General said some of the new areas in which the Commonwealth will work with Swaziland and other partners include strengthening the National Human Rights Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as further exploring the establishment of a Law Reform Commission.

Mr Sharma said the visit had given him a deeper appreciation and substantial first-hand understanding of Swaziland’s national challenges and priorities.

“We are committed to working in support of the Commonwealth’s values and Swaziland’s national priorities with vigour, and in particular to support Swaziland’s efforts to build consensus and to become a more resilient, democratic and prosperous society,” the Secretary-General said.

During the visit, Mr Sharma met Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini. He also met several ministers, Commonwealth high commissioners resident in Swaziland, UNDP country representative, representatives of civil society organisations, members of the Human Rights Commission, the Chief Justice, Commonwealth experts in the country and the media.

The Secretary-General also issued a detailed statement outlining the key areas of co-operation with Swaziland.

“Our priority in the next few years will be on strengthening further some of the key institutions of state on which the confidence of society and protection of all citizens’ interests can be advanced.”

>> Full text of the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s departure statement in Swaziland

Contact:

Julius Mucunguzi
Communications Officer
Commonwealth Secretariat
Tel: +44 (0)7894593517     
Email: j.mucunguzi@commonwealth.int

Key Links:

• Namibia visit
• Botswana visit

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