The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG)
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration is the most tangible expression of the Commonwealth’s commitment to the fundamental democratic principles set out in the Harare Declaration of 1991.
It was established as a mechanism for the implementation of the measures set out in the Millbrook Plan of Action adopted by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1995.
Reacting to the execution of opposition figures by the then Nigerian military regime during the Auckland CHOGM in 1995, Heads of Government established CMAG and mandated it to deal with serious or persistent violations of the Harare Principles. The Millbrook Plan of Action set out a range of measures that CMAG might take in response to such serious or persistent violations. These range from quiet diplomacy and statements of concern to suspension from the Commonwealth.
At its first meeting in 1995, the Group agreed that, while its formal mandate was broad, its initial focus would be on the three Commonwealth countries then under military rule: the Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
More recently, Fiji (2000 - 2001 and in 2006), Pakistan (1999 – 2004 and in 2007) and Zimbabwe (2002 - 2003) have been suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth because of serious violations of the Harare Principles in those countries.
Pakistan’s suspension in November 2007 followed the Government of Pakistan’s failure to implement a series of measures requested by CMAG in response to the imposition of a state of emergency and the abrogation of the Constitution by the President Musharraf in November 2007. Pakistan’s previous suspension was lifted following a review in May 2004, but CMAG had retained Pakistan on its agenda.
Fiji was suspended from the Council’s of the Commonwealth on 8 December 2006 following the military take-over of Fiji’s democratically elected Government. Leaders at the Kampala CHOGM in November 2007, reiterated CMAG’s call for the restoration of constitutional rule and democratic Government as soon as possible and not later than the March 2009 deadline which the military Government has committed itself to. Fiji’s previous suspension was lifted in December 2001, in recognition of the progress Fiji had made to the restoration of democracy with the holding of free and fair elections. However, CMAG decided to retain a watching brief over Fiji before CMAG removed Fiji from its agenda in May 2004.
Zimbabwe was suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth on 18 March 2002, after a Commonwealth Electoral Observer Group reported widespread violations of democratic principles in the conduct of the Zimbabwe elections. These included violence and intimidation of opposition supporters as well as flagrant breaches of electoral practice. The Commonwealth sought to engage the government of Zimbabwe on issues of concern, without success. At the Abuja CHOGM in December 2003, Heads of Government agreed to continue Zimbabwe’s suspension until it demonstrated commitment to the Harare Principles. On 12 December 2003, President Mugabe withdrew his country from the Commonwealth.
CMAG members are the Foreign Ministers of eight Commonwealth countries appointed by CHOGM for two-year terms. The Commonwealth Chair-in-Office is also represented on CMAG. CMAG members (2007-2009) are: Ghana, Malaysia, Namibia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St Lucia, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom and Uganda (as Chairperson-in-Office). Australia served on CMAG from 2000 to 2003.