Commonwealth Secretary-General’s statement on Zimbabwe

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, has welcomed the announcement on 11 September 2008 of a power-sharing agreement reached by Zimbabwe’s political parties.

He expressed the hope that the agreement, due to be signed on Monday, 15 September, will herald a new dawn for the people of Zimbabwe.

The Secretary-General commended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Facilitation Mission under the leadership of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, for its perseverance and resolve in assisting Zimbabwe leaders to come to an agreement to work together. Mr Sharma said: “I hope this will now lay the foundation for reconciliation and reconstruction for which the people of Zimbabwe have waited so long.”

He reiterated that the Commonwealth would maintain its ongoing consultations with the United Nations, the African Union and SADC on the way forward. “The Commonwealth stands ready,” he added, “to support the process as appropriate, particularly in areas of its proven expertise and experience.”