Zimbabwe quits Commonwealth

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 08, 2003

Zimbabwe quits Commonwealth

Zimbabwe said on Sunday it has quit the Commonwealth, saying the Commonwealth decision to extend its suspension from the bloc unacceptable.

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Zimbabwe said on Sunday it has quit the Commonwealth, saying the Commonwealth decision to extend its suspension from the bloc unacceptable.

"Zimbabwe has withdrawn its membership from the Commonwealth with immediate effect," said a statement issued by the presidency.

The statement said President Robert Mugabe had told the leaders of Jamaica, Nigeria and South Africa by phone that Zimbabwe rejected the Commonwealth position and was leaving the bloc of Britain and its former colonies.

The leaders called to brief President Mugabe on the Commonwealth decision and had tried to persuade him to remain in the bloc, the statement said.

"In response, President Mugabe indicated to each of the three leaders that the decision was unacceptable, as the Republic of Zimbabwe would settle for nothing short of its removal from the Commonwealth suspension and agenda," it said.

Earlier Sunday, Commonwealth members decided to extend sanctions against Zimbabwe after a tense debate on the third day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Abuja,capital of Nigeria. The decision demands reforms and reconciliation with the opposition in the South African country before its return to the 54-member bloc.

The Zimbabwe issue had dominated the Commonwealth summit and caused a severe split between the group's Western and developing-world members.

In the Zimbabwe government statement, President Mugabe also indicated he would not discussed about the Commonwealth with any leader.

"On the suggested visit to Zimbabwe by leaders of the CHOGM committee, President Mugabe emphasized that Zimbabwe would receive and welcome them in a brotherly and friendly way but only as leaders of their respective nations, not as representatives of the Commonwealth," it added.

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