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The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) has removed Gabon from its Formal Agenda following progress in restoring constitutional government, with its next regular meeting scheduled for March 2027 in London.
In its concluding statement following the 70th meeting held on November 1, 2026, in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, on the eve of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), CMAG said it had considered the situation in the Gabonese Republic.
The Group welcomed the restoration of elected constitutional government and the completion of Gabon’s transition following the unconstitutional change of government on August 30, 2023.
CMAG recalled the lifting of Gabon’s partial suspension on July 15, 2025, and the subsequent period of monitoring undertaken since that decision, before resolving to remove the country from its Formal Agenda.
The meeting was chaired by Malta’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Chris Fearne.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, and representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, Canada, Grenada, Malaysia, Mauritius and Zambia attended the meeting.
CMAG reaffirmed its commitment to the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values, as enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter, including democracy, human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers and freedom of expression.
It also reiterated its support for the Secretary-General’s Good Offices as an essential mechanism for advancing these values through constructive engagement, partnership, mutual respect and full regard for sovereignty.
The Group encouraged the Secretary-General to remain engaged with Gabon through her Good Offices and offer, at the Government’s request, technical assistance to strengthen the rule of law, separation of powers, democratic institutions, electoral administration, political pluralism, human rights protection, and civic and media freedoms.
Meeting on the eve of CHOGM, CMAG also finalised its biennial report covering its work during the 2024-2026 cycle for presentation to Commonwealth Foreign Ministers and subsequent transmission to Heads of Government.
The Group reaffirmed its commitment to a coherent, proportionate and restorative approach that recognises progress, sustains constructive engagement and preserves the credibility of the Commonwealth’s commitment to its fundamental values.
CMAG thanked the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for their hospitality and commended the Commonwealth Secretariat for its support in promoting dialogue, democratic resilience, peace and good governance.
The Group agreed that its next regular meeting would be held in March 2027 on the margins of Commonwealth Week in London.
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