Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group - Concluding Statement

New zealand High commissioner in London H.E TE AKA AORERE

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which addresses serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth's fundamental political values met in London on 31 July 2009.

tHE Foreign Ministers of St.Lucia , Ghana , and UK FCO Minister

1. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) held an extraordinary meeting in London on 31 July 2009. The Meeting was chaired by Hon Datuk Anifah Aman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia. It was also attended by H.E. Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana; Hon Marco Hausiku, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Namibia; Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand; Hon Samuel T. Abal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration of Papua New Guinea; Hon Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka; Hon Rufus George Bousquet, Minister of External Affairs of St Lucia; Hon Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda; and Mr Ivan Lewis, Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom.

2. CMAG received a written communication from the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Hon Toke Talagi, Premier of Niue.

3. The Group also received with appreciation a briefing from the High Commissioner of Fiji to the United Kingdom, H E Mr Pio Bosco Tikoisuva.

4. CMAG further received and took note of a Joint Statement dated 24 July 2009 made by two former Prime Ministers of Fiji, Mr Laisenia Qarase and Mr Mahendra Chaudhry, as well as a letter from Mr Mick Beddoes, Leader of the Opposition in the last parliament of Fiji

5. CMAG recalled that, at its previous meeting on 4 March 2009, it had deplored the fact that Fiji remained in contravention of Commonwealth values and principles; that CMAG’s call for the Interim Government to adhere to its March 2009 deadline for holding elections had not been heeded; and that the Interim Government had not indicated an alternative date for elections. It further recalled that, at that meeting, CMAG had reaffirmed that the engagement of the Commonwealth in Fiji should continue to be directed at protecting and promoting the fundamental values and principles of the Commonwealth, in the interests of the people of Fiji.

6. The Group further recalled its decision in March that, should sufficient progress not be made by Fiji towards a return to democracy, Fiji would be fully suspended from the Commonwealth at the Group’s next regularly scheduled meeting in September 2009.

7. The Group noted that Fiji’s situation with regard to fundamental Commonwealth values had deteriorated strikingly since March. It deplored the President’s purported abrogation of the Constitution on 10 April 2009, the further entrenchment of authoritarian rule in Fiji outside the Constitution and the rule of law, the ongoing violation of human rights including freedom of speech and assembly, arbitrary detention of opponents of the military regime, and the undermining of the independence of the judiciary and legal system. CMAG also deplored the intention of the Fiji regime to further delay the return to democracy by more than five years.

8. In relation to Commonwealth engagement with Fiji, CMAG expressed its deep regret at the Fiji regime’s withdrawal of cooperation with the Commonwealth and UN on the proposed President’s Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF) and the effective abandonment of that process.

9. CMAG noted the decision by leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum to suspend Fiji from participation in the Forum as of 2 May 2009.

10. CMAG urged the Fiji regime to immediately reactivate the President’s Political Dialogue Forum process, facilitated by the Commonwealth and the United Nations. CMAG stressed that such a Dialogue must be independent, inclusive, time-bound and without any pre-determined outcome, and lead to credible elections in the country no later than October 2010.

11. CMAG urged the Fiji regime to state its firm commitment to reactivating the PPDF as indicated in the terms outlined in paragraph 10 above, by no later than 1 September 2009, in writing to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. In the absence of such confirmation, Fiji will be fully suspended on that date. CMAG authorised the Chair and the Secretary-General to consult on engagement with the Fiji regime should a positive response be received, and to furnish a report to CMAG’s next meeting in New York on 26 September 2009.

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH
12. Consistent with the provisions of the Millbrook Action Programme and CMAG’s own earlier statements, the Group reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement by the Commonwealth with Fiji, in pursuit of its entrusted responsibility to support the restoration of constitutional democracy in that country and protecting and promoting human rights and the welfare of the people of Fiji
Uganda Foreign minister Sam Kutesa and Papua new guines foreign Minister having a break from the meeting

Srilanka Foreign Minister and Malaysia Foreign Minister during a break


Papua New Guinea High commisioner with other diplomats

Photos: Ayoub mzee

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (left) shakes hands with President Robert Mugabe (right) at the National Heroes Acre, in Harare, March 14, 2009.
A minister from Tsvangirai’s party has been arrested for allegedly stealing a mobile phone from a militant supporter of President Robert Mugabe
By KITSEPILE NYATHI, NATION CorrespondentPosted Wednesday, July 29 2009 at 19:08
HARARE, Wednesday
A minister from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party has been arrested for allegedly stealing a mobile phone from a militant supporter of President Robert Mugabe as tension continues to build up in Zimbabwe’s shaky coalition government.
Deputy Youth Minister, Mr Thamsanqa Mahlangu was arrested on Tuesday over the theft of the phone belonging to war veterans’ leader, Mr Joseph Chinotimba at a conference a fortnight ago.
Mr Mhlanga shared a table with Mr Chinotimba at a July 17 workshop convened by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara to craft a “shared national vision.”
Police say during a lunch break, the war veterans leader who spearheaded Zimbabwe’s land invasions with Mr Mugabe’s tacit approval, left his food on the table when he stood up to get some food.
When he returned the phone had vanished.
Detectives, with the help of a network provider reportedly tracked down the sim card to a woman who claimed to Mr Mahlangu’s girlfriend.
“His arrest is in connection with theft of a cell phone at a function that was held at the Harare International Conference Center,” police spokesman, Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said.
“Two other people are facing charges relating to the use of the cell phone line without the consent of the owner and in breach of the Telecommunications Act.”
But Mr Mahlangu’s party said the arrest was part of a wider plot by Mr Mugabe’s Zanu PF party to whittle down its majority and victimise its leadership.
“His arrest comes in the wake of renewed persecution of MDC MPs and ministers,” the MDC said in a statement. “At least seven MPs are facing trumped up charges while the party’s secretary general and Minister of Finance Tendai Biti on Monday received an envelope with a bullet inside.”
The main MDC is one seat away from losing its majority in parliament, a year after it overturned Zanu PF’s dominance for the first time since independence.

Meet the Tanzania Investment Authority boss Mr Ole Naiko.

He siad in an interview that "
Tanzania had been carrying out successful economic and structural reforms, which have improved economic performance and sustained growth. These achievements are based on solid foundations of political and economic reform undertaken by the Government since 1986, placing Tanzania in a position where a prolonged period of high GDP growth rates is expected. In addition, Tanzania has a stable fiscal regime with sustainable level of inflation. Under its economic recovery program, Tanzania increased revenue streams and substantially reduced spending. Continuous decline in the rate of inflation is mainly the result of prudent fiscal and monetary policies".

Tanzania offers a well-balanced and competitive package of fiscal incentives in comparison with other African countries. Aiming at providing competitive fiscal regime on foreign trade, Tanzania has signed double taxation treaties with Denmark, India, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Finland. Countries with which negotiations are continuing include South Africa, Republic of Korea, Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt, Yugoslavia and Oman.Investments in Tanzania are guaranteed against nationalisation and expropriation. Tanzania is a signatory of several multilateral and bilateral agreements on protection and promotion of foreign investment. Among other international agreements and membership, Tanzania is a member of Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

During the past decade Tanzania has distinguished itself as one of the few African countries that have radically transformed their economies. Successes of these reforms are reflected in the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals with consistently increasing growth rates, consistent falling inflation and increasing inflow of FDI. One of the factors that contributed to this success is the country’s unwavering commitment to build a strong private sector.

Tanzania’s untapped natural resources offer a wide range of investment opportunities; arable land, minerals and natural tourist attractions are all awaiting potential investors. Tanzania is internationally renowned for its abundance of wildlife attractions and unexploited mineral reserves. These sectors (Mining and Tourism) are the leading recipient of foreign investment flow and are tipped to become the “growth sectors” of the economy.

Photos: Ayoub mzee
The pro investment attitude by Government is clearly demonstrated by the innovative investment legislation, the increasing number of foreign direct investments in the country and economic and structural reforms that have led to substantial progress in establishing a functioning market economy. Institutional support for priority investment projects is readily available from the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and other Government institutions.TIC is the focal point for investors. It is a first point of call for potential investors. It is an efficient and effective investment promotion agency, a “one stop facilitative centre for all investors”, engaging in the business of marketing Tanzania as an investment destination. In order to strengthen and expedite facilitation services, 7 senior officers from Government or its executive agencies have been permanently stationed at TIC to serve investors under the general direction of the TIC Executive Director. Presently these officers include those from:
Lands Department
Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)
Immigration Department
Labour Division
Directorate of Trade
Business Registration & Licensing Agency (BRELA

Subject: MKUTANO MKUU WA CCM TAWI LA LONDON

26-07-2009Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:51:25

From: amos makalla <http://uk.mc243.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=amosmakalla@yahoo.com>

Wana CCM wa matawi ya nje ya nchi wametakiwa kuitangaza Tanzania kwa mema ikiwemo fursa mbalimbali zilizoko Tanzania. Hayo yanmesemwa jana nchini Uingereza na Katibu wa NEC Uchumi na fedha Amos Makala wakati akifungua Mkutano Mkuu wa CCM Tawi la London Uingereza ulihudhuriwa na mamia ya WanaCCM waishio Uingereza. Amewataka wana CCM kufanya kazi hii kwa sababu kubwa mbili; kwanza wana CCM kama Watanzania Pili Wana CCM kama wadau wa serikali yao ya CCM iliyoko madarakani. Amewataka wana CCM waishio nje ya nchi kushirikiana na serikali yao kuendelea kushawishi uwekezaji, watalii kuja Tanzania huku wakiwahakikishia sifa kuu ya Tanzania ya amani na utulivu. Adha Makalla amewabeza Watanzania wengine aishio nje ya nchi ambao wamekuwa siyo wazalendo ambao siku zote wamekuwa wakibeza maendeleo mazuri ya CCM na sifa nzuri ya Tanzania. "Nasema makada wa CCM fanyeni kazi hii kwa nguvu kubwa na wapuuzeni hao wapika majugu na fitina kwa maslahi yao binafsi" Kuhusu hali ya kisiasa Makala amewahakikishia wana CCM waishio nje ya nchi kwamba Tanzania ni shwari na hivi sasa vyama vya siasa vinajipanga kwa uchaguzi wa serikali za mitaa mwaka huu na uchaguzi Mkuu mwakani. Na amewahakikishia wana CCM wa Tawi la London kwamba CCM imejipanga vizuri na itashinda chaguzi zote kwa kishindo. Amesema utekelezaji wa Ilani wa uchaguzi mwaka 2005 ndiyo kipimo kwa CCM kuendelea kuungwa mkono na imejirihirisha kwa serikali ya awamu ya nne kuendelea kwa kasi kuwaletea Watanzania maendeleo. Aidha kwa upande mwngine, wana CCM Tawi la London walipenda kujua Chama inashughulikiaje kero za Muungano na ufisadi. Kuhusu Muungano Makala aliwaambia Chama cha Mapinduzi kinaendelea kuamini kwamba muundo wa muungano wa serikali mbili ndiyo unaofaa na kwamba kero zilizopo zitashughulikiwa pasipo kuathiri muungano wetu na CCM itahakikisha Muungano huu inadumishwa. Kuhusu ufisadi amewaambia kwamba serikali ya CCM imechukua hatua mbalimbali kuwafikisa mahakamani watuhumiwa wa makosa ya matumizi mabaya ya fedha za Umma na madaraka ya umma. Amesema ni mahakama pekee ndiyo itakayotoa hukumu na kuwasihi Watanzania kuheshimu Mahakama. "Wapo watu nyumbani ambao wakati serikali ikichukua hatua hizi wameonekana kutoridhishwa. Wao ndo wamekuwa polisi, waendesha mashtaka na majaji. Kwa hiyo ningewaomba kwamba tuendelee kuheshimu mahakama. Serikali ya awamu ya nne ina dhamira ya dhati kupambana na ufisadi na matumizi mabaya ya fedha za Umma. Dhamira hii imejirihirisha kutokana na jitihada za makusudi za Raisi Kikwete kuiongezea uwezo taasisi ya kupambana na rushwa. Mwisho Makala aliwataka Watanzania na Makada wote waishio nje ya nchi kuendelea kushirikiana na serikali yao kuleta maendeleo ikiwepo na wenyewe Watanzania hao kuwekeza nyumbani.