Will Musharaff ride the storm or join Mugabe ?
Nov 19, 2007
<b>Analysis</b><br><br>COMMONWEALTH countries are concerned about the decision of the Pakistan president, Pervez Musharaff, to suspend the constitution and declare a state of emergency. This is likely to dominate the Commonwealth meeting slated for November 23-25 in Kampala.
Analysis
By Felix Osike
COMMONWEALTH countries are concerned about the decision of the Pakistan president, Pervez Musharaff, to suspend the constitution and declare a state of emergency. This is likely to dominate the Commonwealth meeting slated for November 23-25 in Kampala.
Although the heads of governments have the power to suspend member-states from active participation, the Commonwealth has no provision for the expulsion of members.
Suspended members are not represented at meetings of Commonwealth leaders and ministers, although they remain members of the organisation.
Pakistan was previously suspended from the Commonwealth in 1999, after Musharraf, seized power in a military coup.
It was reinstated in 2004 after he introduced a package of reforms.
Since then human rights violations in Pakistan have been on the CHOGM agendas.
Musharraf’s declaration of a state of emergency on November 3 sparked off widespread condemnation.
Although he has pledged to hold elections by January 9, there are fears that free and fair elections cannot take place under an emergency rule.
The Commonwealth has given Musharaff until November 22, to restore its constitution and lift other emergency measures or face suspension.
The 53-nation organisation has also set a number of conditions that Musharaff must meet, among them the immediate repeal of the emergency provisions and full restoration of the constitution, independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
The Commonwealth also wants Musharraf to step down as chief of army staff as promised, immediately release political party leaders and activists, dismantle restrictions on the press and move rapidly towards the creation of conditions for the holding of free and fair elections.
At the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting in Kampala on November 22, if Musharaff has not met any of these conditions, Pakistan will be suspended from the organisation.
It is unlikely that Musharaff who has been a darling of the US in the fight against terrorism will implement these reforms within 10 days.
There are all indications that the country will be suspended. Pakistan will not be the first country to face such penalties for failure to uphold democratic government.
Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002 over concerns with the electoral and land reform policies of Robert Mugabe’s ZANU- PF government. It withdrew from the organisation in 2003, when Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Abuja refused to lift the country's suspension on the grounds of human rights violations and deliberate misgovernment.
It had previously been suspended from the Commonwealth under the country’s former name of Rhodesia from its unilateral declaration of independence in 1965. It was readmitted in 1980 after its internationally recognised independence as Zimbabwe.
Some countries have also voluntarily chosen to withdraw from the Commonwealth.
In 1972, Pakistan left in protest at the Commonwealth recognition of the breakaway Bangladesh but rejoined in 1989.
South Africa, which had also been suspended over its policy of apartheid, was readmitted in 1994 following the end of apartheid.
Fiji Island, a South Pacific Ocean nation, was suspended in 2001-2001 after a military coup.
It was again suspended following the military coup of December 2006.
Nigeria was suspended in 1995 for the execution of nine environmentalists, including Nobel peace prize nominee Ken Saro-Wiwa.
The fundamental values the Commonwealth countries must accept and comply with the Harare declaration of 1991 setting out core principles and values to be followed by the member countries, recognise the British monarch as the Head of the Commonwealth, accept English as a means of communication and respect the wishes of the general population of the member countries.
These requirements are undergoing review, and a report on potential amendment is to be presented to the Kampala CHOGM.
The benefits of hosting CHOGM are immense. Improved infrastructure is one of the immediate benefits besides international exposure of the host country.
CHOGM promotes an understanding on global issues, international cooperation and work of the Commonwealth.
But some analysts think CHOGM is a mere talking shop, a photo opportunity for the World leaders for a hand shake with the Queen .
With a membership of one third of the world’s independent countries, the Commonwealth, which has its origins in the former British empire, is now the second largest body after the United Nations. Uganda has benefited in many areas from being a member, especially through scholarships and technical cooperation.
Uganda’s role will be highlighted further when the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting convenes on November 23.
At no time have some member states been faced with nagging issues like the crippling high debt and poverty levels, bad governance and resultant insecurity than now.
The new international order calls for increased emphasis on pluralism, protection of human rights, accountability and good governance. To achieve these targets the Commonwealth must set standards that must be followed.
The Commonwealth must also have sharp claws to enforce compliance with the set rules.
The Commonwealth should be proactive in dealing with countries that veer off the democratic path. There is also growing discontent among the member-states that there doesn’t really seem to be a common wealth.
Poor nations like Uganda are faced with unfair international trade rules. As a demonstration of commitment to equality of its member states, the Commonwealth should make strategic interventions in areas that will develop its poor members.
By Felix Osike
COMMONWEALTH countries are concerned about the decision of the Pakistan president, Pervez Musharaff, to suspend the constitution and declare a state of emergency. This is likely to dominate the Commonwealth meeting slated for November 23-25 in Kampala.
Although the heads of governments have the power to suspend member-states from active participation, the Commonwealth has no provision for the expulsion of members.
Suspended members are not represented at meetings of Commonwealth leaders and ministers, although they remain members of the organisation.
Pakistan was previously suspended from the Commonwealth in 1999, after Musharraf, seized power in a military coup.
It was reinstated in 2004 after he introduced a package of reforms.
Since then human rights violations in Pakistan have been on the CHOGM agendas.
Musharraf’s declaration of a state of emergency on November 3 sparked off widespread condemnation.
Although he has pledged to hold elections by January 9, there are fears that free and fair elections cannot take place under an emergency rule.
The Commonwealth has given Musharaff until November 22, to restore its constitution and lift other emergency measures or face suspension.
The 53-nation organisation has also set a number of conditions that Musharaff must meet, among them the immediate repeal of the emergency provisions and full restoration of the constitution, independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
The Commonwealth also wants Musharraf to step down as chief of army staff as promised, immediately release political party leaders and activists, dismantle restrictions on the press and move rapidly towards the creation of conditions for the holding of free and fair elections.
At the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting in Kampala on November 22, if Musharaff has not met any of these conditions, Pakistan will be suspended from the organisation.
It is unlikely that Musharaff who has been a darling of the US in the fight against terrorism will implement these reforms within 10 days.
There are all indications that the country will be suspended. Pakistan will not be the first country to face such penalties for failure to uphold democratic government.
Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002 over concerns with the electoral and land reform policies of Robert Mugabe’s ZANU- PF government. It withdrew from the organisation in 2003, when Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Abuja refused to lift the country's suspension on the grounds of human rights violations and deliberate misgovernment.
It had previously been suspended from the Commonwealth under the country’s former name of Rhodesia from its unilateral declaration of independence in 1965. It was readmitted in 1980 after its internationally recognised independence as Zimbabwe.
Some countries have also voluntarily chosen to withdraw from the Commonwealth.
In 1972, Pakistan left in protest at the Commonwealth recognition of the breakaway Bangladesh but rejoined in 1989.
South Africa, which had also been suspended over its policy of apartheid, was readmitted in 1994 following the end of apartheid.
Fiji Island, a South Pacific Ocean nation, was suspended in 2001-2001 after a military coup.
It was again suspended following the military coup of December 2006.
Nigeria was suspended in 1995 for the execution of nine environmentalists, including Nobel peace prize nominee Ken Saro-Wiwa.
The fundamental values the Commonwealth countries must accept and comply with the Harare declaration of 1991 setting out core principles and values to be followed by the member countries, recognise the British monarch as the Head of the Commonwealth, accept English as a means of communication and respect the wishes of the general population of the member countries.
These requirements are undergoing review, and a report on potential amendment is to be presented to the Kampala CHOGM.
The benefits of hosting CHOGM are immense. Improved infrastructure is one of the immediate benefits besides international exposure of the host country.
CHOGM promotes an understanding on global issues, international cooperation and work of the Commonwealth.
But some analysts think CHOGM is a mere talking shop, a photo opportunity for the World leaders for a hand shake with the Queen .
With a membership of one third of the world’s independent countries, the Commonwealth, which has its origins in the former British empire, is now the second largest body after the United Nations. Uganda has benefited in many areas from being a member, especially through scholarships and technical cooperation.
Uganda’s role will be highlighted further when the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting convenes on November 23.
At no time have some member states been faced with nagging issues like the crippling high debt and poverty levels, bad governance and resultant insecurity than now.
The new international order calls for increased emphasis on pluralism, protection of human rights, accountability and good governance. To achieve these targets the Commonwealth must set standards that must be followed.
The Commonwealth must also have sharp claws to enforce compliance with the set rules.
The Commonwealth should be proactive in dealing with countries that veer off the democratic path. There is also growing discontent among the member-states that there doesn’t really seem to be a common wealth.
Poor nations like Uganda are faced with unfair international trade rules. As a demonstration of commitment to equality of its member states, the Commonwealth should make strategic interventions in areas that will develop its poor members.