Commonwealth mission illegal

Zimbabwe has described as “illegal” and “outrageous” a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group decision to send a fact-finding mission to Harare. Foreign Affairs Minister Stan Mudenge said on Tuesday it was regrettable that CMAG had succumbed to British “diktat”, the state-controlled ‘Herald’ newspaper reported.

“This is outrageous. There is no provision in the rules of Chogm (Commonwealth heads of government meeting) to discuss the internal affairs of a member state which has not violated the Harare Declaration, except at the member’s own request,” Mudenge said. “While the government of Zimbabwe is happy to receive any foreign minister from the Commonwealth, and any other part of the world for that matter wishing to visit our country, it will not comply with the British diktat.”

A CMAG statement on Tuesday at the end of a two-day meeting in London read:
“Conscious of the importance of the Commonwealth being fully engaged and having accurate information on the situation in Zimbabwe, and in the spirit of cooperation and dialogue which are features of the Commonwealth association, the ministers decided that a Commonwealth Ministerial Mission should visit Zimbabwe. The mission would conduct consultations with the Zimbabwe government, convey its concerns and offer any appropriate Commonwealth assistance.”