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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General condemns seizure of Solomon Islands Prime Minister

5 June 2000

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today issued the following statement: 

I am deeply disturbed by reports of the seizure of the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Bartholomew Ulufa'alu and Governor-General Father John Ini Lapli, earlier today by armed militants of the Malaitan Eagle Force.  

I condemn most strongly such unconstitutional action against a democratically elected Government. This is a gross violation of the Commonwealth's fundamental political values. I call upon those responsible to refrain from any further unlawful acts, to reinstate immediately the Prime Minister and to respect democratic processes. 

I was recently in Solomon Islands where I held discussions with Prime Minister Ulufa'alu, and reached agreement on further measures of support to the Commonwealth-brokered peace process in Solomon Islands. Senior Commonwealth official Professor Ade Adefuye is now in Solomon Islands, where he has been working for some time to bring an end to ethnic conflict dividing that country. 

The situation in Solomon Islands will be considered by a meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) on the Harare Principles, when it convenes tomorrow in London. 

Note to Editors:

The Commonwealth has been engaged in the Solomon Islands since June 1999, following an appeal to the Commonwealth Secretary-General to use his good offices to mediate in the ethnic conflict in the country. General Sitiveni Rabuka was appointed Commonwealth Special Envoy, assisted by Professor Ade Adefuye, and a peace process was initiated through a series of agreements designed to reduce violence and ethnic tensions. 

The members of CMAG are: Botswana (Chair), Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Canada, Malaysia, Nigeria, United Kingdom.

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