Secretary-General concludes fruitful talks in Southern Africa

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon made a fruitful week-long trip to Southern Africa in mid-December 2006, holding substantive discussions with leaders, cabinet ministers and opposition parties in Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.

The Secretary-General's four-nation tour took place between 13 and 18 December 2006.

His talks in Windhoek, Gaborone, Maseru and Mbabane focused on democracy and development, education, health, human rights and investment promotion. Preparations for the forthcoming summit of Commonwealth leaders (CHOGM) in Uganda in November 2007 were also on the agenda.

"We had wide ranging discussions during my meetings with both government and opposition leaders," said Mr McKinnon on his return to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on 19 December.

"All those talks with political leaders in Southern Africa endorsed the linkages between strong democratic culture and institutions, and economic growth. In Lesotho, I was involved in a 3-hour meeting with 14 of Lesotho's political parties as they prepare to contest next February's general election. I found it inspiring to see political opponents sitting around a table and committing one-and-all to nurturing their country's democracy. I also felt honoured that the Commonwealth was chosen to convene that meeting, as a trusted partner and a source of help and advice."

A further topic -- and key ingredient for democracy -- was the separation of powers among the executive, legislature and judiciary.

Mr McKinnon had attended the 16th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in Cape Town, South Africa, at the start of his tour of Southern Africa.

"I was heartened by the strengthened commitment of the ministers to enhance educational opportunities and the quality of education in their respective countries," he said.

Key Links:

• Secretary-General
• Country Profile: Botswana
• Country Profile: Lesotho
• Country Profile: Namibia
• Country Profile: Swaziland