Commonwealth Secretary-General to visit Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon will visit four Southern Africa countries – Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland – from 13 to 18 December 2006.

Mr McKinnon’s trip to Southern Africa will take place after his visit to Cape Town, South Africa, where he has been attending the 16th Commonwealth Education Ministers Conference.

The Secretary-General will meet with the Head of State and Head of Government as appropriate in each of the countries to be visited, as well as the Foreign Minister.

His talks will focus on promoting the core values of the Commonwealth, and its work in democracy, good governance and development.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr. McKinnon said: “I am looking forward very much to meeting Commonwealth Heads of Government in the region to inform them of latest developments, including arrangements for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to take place in Uganda in November 2007, and the current situation in Fiji Islands.”

The Secretary-General will brief the leaders on progress in the work of the recently established Commission on Respect and Understanding, as well as the Committee on Commonwealth Membership.

In Swaziland, discussions will include the implementation of the country’s new Constitution; while in Lesotho, talks will include the forthcoming elections.

Note to Editors

The Secretary-General will be in Namibia on 13-14 December; Botswana on 15 December; Lesotho on 16 December; and Swaziland on 17-18 December 2006.

The Secretary-General was last in Namibia and Botswana in March 2005; Lesotho in 2002; and Swaziland in February 2006.