Abuja and After: The Case for Change in the Commonwealth Secretariat

Abstract

After the single-issue Abuja Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, a deep, intellectual examination of the Commonwealth apparatus of Secretariat and Secretary-General is needed. Large and bold decisions, and bold steps are required to transform the Commonwealth to meet the new realities of international relations. The capacity of the current Political Affairs Division should be upgraded and expanded at the expense of other areas of Secretariat activity, and the Secretariat should be honed into a small team of senior, experienced and internationally wise advisers to a Secretary-General who is able to operate as an intellectually formed negotiating figure in international relations