Kampala
  26/11/07
 
  NEWS ANALYSIS 

CHOGM KAMPALA SUMMIT AGREED ON DEMOCRACY, GENDER EQUALITY AND THE RULE OF LAW IN ALL MEMBER STATES

By Leo Odera Omolo

At the end of their three days summit held in Kampala, Uganda the Heads of State and Government reiterated their commitment to the Commonwealth fundamental political values of tolerance, respect, international peace and security.

They reiterated their commitment to democracy and good governance, human rights, gender equality, rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, a balance of power between the executive, legislature and judiciary as recognized in the Commonwealth (Latimer House). Principles, freedom of expression, a political culture that promote transparency and accountability and sustainable development.

These points were among the 57 points issues contained in the final draft resolutions, which covered wide range of issues affecting the commonwealth countries. The resolutions were issued last Sunday.

They also reaffirmed that the responsibility to protect population from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity value, and reiterated their commitment to work together to ensure that the responsibility to protect is carried out by the international community in accordance with UN charter.

The Heads of Commonwealth government further reiterated that full support for the good offices role of the Secretary General in conflict prevention and resolution and post conflict reconstruction and development.

The leaders also expressed their continuing commitment to the Commonwealth Secretary’s work to strengthen democratic institutions, processes and culture including through election observation, provision of technical assistance and training and other activities, upon the request of countries concerned.

The Kampala summit acknowledged the value of Commonwealth strategic partnerships with other international and regional organizations and encouraged the commonwealth secretariat in London to further develop these links to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest.

Of the 48 countries that attended the Kampala summit 36 were represented by their Heads of State and Government.

The opening ceremony of the meeting included an address by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II of England on her capacity as the head of the commonwealth.

Heads of government conveyed their sincere appreciation to the government and the people of Uganda for the warm hospitality extended to them and for the excellent arrangements made for the summit. They also congratulated President Museveni for his leadership in chairing the meeting.

The heads of government welcome the Commonwealth secretariat’s collaboration with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) and other organizations to promote best democratic practice in the member countries.

The leaders also commended the CPA for providing assistance to Commonwealth parliament for capacity building and promoting awareness about the respective roles of the government and opposition in democracies, and took note of the outcomes of its 2007 New Delhi Conference.

The Kampala summit reaffirmed the leaders support for the Aberdeen principles on good practice for local democracy and good governance and encouraged member states to implement the Auckland Accord, Delivering Development through local leadership.

They urged CLGF to continue its work in strengthening rule of local government in commonwealth societies.

Heads of government endorsed the report of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) converting the group: deliberations in the period since the Malta Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November 2005.

The leaders commended CMAG’s work, which has contributed significantly to the promotion of the commonwealth’s fundamental political values in member states.

Heads took a serious note of CMAG’s suspension of Fiji from the councils of the commonwealth on December 6, 2006 following the military take-over of Fiji’s democratically elected government.

And they reiterated CMAG’s call for the restoration of constitutional rule and democratic government as soon as possible and not later than March 2009 deadline, which the military government in Fiji has committed itself to.

Head of government welcome the dialogue, which had been opened with the interim government and the engagement the chairman of CMAG and the Secretary General with Fiji.

They took note of CMAG’s suspension of Pakistan from the Commonwealth on November 22, 2007 following Pakistan’s failure to implement a series of measures requested by CMAG in response to the imposition of state of emergency and the abrogation of the constitution by President Musherraf on November 3rd this year.

The Commonwealth Heads expressed their serious disappointment that Musharraf had failed to implement the decision of heads at her last CHOGM in Malta that the head of state and chief of army staff be separated at the end of President Musharraf’s term in 2007. they, however acknowledged his announced intention to separate the roles in the future and called on him to do so as soon as possible.

And while welcoming the announcement of the election in January 8, 2008, the heads of commonwealth government stressed the need for the government of Pakistan to move rapidly to create the conditions that would allow the elections in that country to be free and fair and credible.

While pilling pressure on Pakistan, the CHOGM reviewed progress following the conduct of the scheduled election in January 2008 and called on Pakistan to respond positively to the Commonwealth’s desire to remain engaged and support the return of democratic government and the value of law in Pakistan.

Heads of government reconstituted the membership of CMAG for the next bienmiem as follows: Ghana, Malaysia, Namibia, New Zealand, Papila, New Guinea, St Lucia, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom and Uganda the current chairperson in office.

There were more than 57 major issues tackled at the CHOGM as contained therein the final draft resolution signed by delegates at the end of summit.

  Ends
  leooderaomolo@yahoo.com