Commonwealth a key partner for Africa -- McKinnon

Speaking after returning from the African Union Summit in Ethiopia and a visit to East Africa, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon stressed the growing importance of the Commonwealth for Africa.

“We are a key partner organisation for the development of the continent. This was underlined in my talks with African leaders over the week,” he said.

During a meeting on 29 January 2007, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo told Mr McKinnon that he was committed to free and fair elections when his country goes to the polls this year. The President will step down after serving the maximum two four-year terms as provided by Nigerian law.

On 28 January, Mr McKinnon held separate meetings with Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

Mr McKinnon briefed President Mutharika on preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kampala, Uganda, in November. The Malawian leader updated Mr McKinnon on the political situation in his country.

President Museveni told the Secretary-General that preparations for CHOGM were on course. He added that planning for the event had helped Uganda speed up its infrastructure development programme, which would boost its economy.

Mr McKinnon separately met representatives from the Governments of Cameroon and The Gambia.

En route to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Secretary-General visited Kenya where he held talks with President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi. He also met Zanzibar’s President Amani Abeid Karume and other political leaders in the United Republic of Tanzania.

While in Zanzibar, Mr McKinnon visited an agro-processing facility run by women entrepreneurs in a project funded by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation.

He also addressed students at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and the Alliance High School on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya.

“Eighteen of the Commonwealth’s 53 countries are in Africa. Some of the world’s greatest development and democratic challenges are on this continent -- and some of its greatest successes,” Mr McKinnon said.

“In the last few days, I have met some of those who are making that happen, and seen at first hand its results -- from rural women being trained in new skills to national leaders reaffirming their commitment to democracy and development.

“The Commonwealth will continue to walk alongside and work with Africa as a trusted partner.”

Secretariat Links:

• CHOGM