ëFreedom Dayí celebrations: South Africa is one of five Commonwealth countries achieving the 30 per cent target for women in parliament

The Commonwealth has a two-pronged approach to conflict prevention: short-term problem-solving, and more long-term structural and preventative efforts. The short-term approach, seen in the good offices of the Secretary-General, seeks to resolve immediate or ongoing disputes or crises before they deteriorate into violent conflict. Over the longer term, the Commonwealth addresses the root causes of conflict within member countries through its commitment to fundamental political values and its political, economic, gender equality and technical assistance programmes in support of those values.

The Secretary-General’s good offices

The High Level Review Group (established by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1999 to look at the future role of the Commonwealth) found behind-the-scenes interventions through the good offices of the Secretary-General to be ‘highly effective’, and recommended that this mechanism be strengthened.

The Secretariat’s Good Offices Section, established in May 2003, provides an early warning mechanism, proposes measures for preventative action, and is responsible for co-ordinating integrated approaches to conflict and political tensions within member states. The past two years have seen a significant increase in the scope and depth of the Secretary-General’s good offices role.

In Cameroon, a Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Christine Stewart of Canada, assisted the Government in implementing a wide range of reforms in the areas of election management, human rights, the judiciary and decentralisation. With Commonwealth assistance, a new law has been drafted to create a more independent and effective human rights commission, in line with international best practice. Assistance is also being provided towards the establishment of a more independent electoral management system. Ms Stewart’s work is being carried forward by former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark and Samuel Kivuitu of Kenya.

The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Fiji Islands, Justice Pius Langa of South Africa, facilitated dialogue between the political parties, encouraged the formation of a government in accordance with the Constitution and promoted national reconciliation. His work also supported the internal ‘talanoa’ dialogue process between the parties.

	Ballot boxes being delivered by ëpousse-pousseí to a Cameroon polling stationt

In The Gambia, the Secretariat is providing assistance to strengthen democratic processes and institutions, including the independent electoral commission and the judiciary. The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, General Abdulsalami Abubakar of Nigeria, is also working to lower tensions and to build trust between the political parties in the lead-up to elections in 2006.

In Guyana, a Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Sir Paul Reeves of New Zealand, has been assisting the promotion of dialogue between the two main political parties. His work is aimed at encouraging a more inclusive political environment that has the confidence of all stakeholders as well as better use of Parliament in that process.

Another Special Envoy, Tan Sri Musa bin Hitam of Malaysia, is working with the Government of Maldives in support of its ongoing constitutional and electoral reform process, in line with Commonwealth principles and best practice. A major advance was the adoption of a multi-party system in June 2005.

In Swaziland, the Secretariat provided assistance and support towards the adoption of a constitution that more effectively protects human rights and fundamental freedoms, and provides a more transparent and democratic political environment. The Constitutional Drafting Commission was supported by Commonwealth experts in developing the final document, which was adopted by the Parliament and signed into law in July 2005. The Commonwealth was also actively involved in facilitating the resolution of a crisis that arose between the executive and the judiciary.

The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Tonga, Sir Douglas Graham of New Zealand, has been encouraging the strengthening of authority and capacity of the Legislative Assembly.

In Uganda, the Secretariat is providing assistance towards the further stabilisation of the situation in the north of the country, particularly through support to youth rehabilitation and the constitutional review process.

In Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, the Commonwealth continues to work with the Government and other parties in facilitating the implementation of the peace agreement between the governing party and the opposition.

Commonwealth support for sustainable peace

As well as resolving crises and defusing tensions, the Secretariat also works to build peace and prevent the reoccurrence of conflict. Good offices are accompanied by technical assistance programmes designed to strengthen democratic processes and institutions. The Secretariat’s programmes to promote sustainable development form an integral part of its comprehensive long-term approach to supporting sustainable peace.

‘Gender, Democracy, Peace and Conflict’ is an important area for Commonwealth action in the next decade. Member countries have adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on ‘Women, Peace and Security’, urging governments to ensure women’s full and equal representation and participation in peace-building and conflict resolution processes. The Secretariat is represented on the UN Task Force on Women, Peace and Security, and for the first time since its inception 40 years ago, addressed the UN Security Council in October 2004.

Efforts to prevent conflicts and rebuild war-torn societies are most successful when they adopt an integrated approach that is transparent, inclusive, accountable, and includes the equal participation of women, men and young people. Such an approach has recorded positive results in countries like Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone and South Africa.