LONDON, May 2 (AFP) - Three west African countries fell under
the Commonwealth's spotlight Tuesday as the 54-nation grouping
singled out Gambia, Sierra Leone and Cameroon for greater scrutiny
at a rights and democracy watchdog meeting.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) said it would
send observer teams to Gambia and Cameroon to monitor their
compliance to democracy strictures set out under the Commonwealth's
Harare Principles.
The group said it would send a "fact-finding mission" to Gambia
"to make a first-hand assessment of the government's compliance with
the Harare Principles," according to a statement issued after the
day-long CMAG meeting here.
It also asked Secretary General Don McKinnon to send a mission
to Cameroon to "explore ways in which the Commonwealth might assist
Cameroon to fulfil more effectively its commitments under the Harare
Principles."
Thirdly, the eight-member action group urged Sierra Leone's
Revolutionary United Front "to proceed without futher delay to
disarm and demobilize its combatants in accordance with the
provisions of the Lome peace agreement," according to the
statement.

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