How relevant is it?

For yet another time, Malta will be hosting the Commonwealth meeting known as CHOGM. The last time round it was held in Sri Lanka, at a time when Sri Lanka was being queried over human rights abuses.

Many believe that CHOGM is the thing that gets the Commonwealth mentioned the most. In fact the real event that puts the Commonwealth on the map are the Commonwealth games. Sports, it appears, attracts more interest than gatherings of colourful political leaders and a monarch.

When CHOGM was last held in Malta, I made it a point to highlight the relevance or rather irrelevance of the Commonwealth. It was good for Malta, most especially in the sense that we got some road networks asphalted.

Needless to say I made a few people unhappy with my comments.

I have always been one who questioned the age of monarchs and monarchy, more so in the 21st century, more so of the British monarchy which ruled an empire in a way that left much to be desired. I could say I am still proud to call myself a Republican.

The Commonwealth has since grown to incorporate 53 nations, most of them former British colonies. Its two most recent additions, Mozambique and Rwanda, have no historical ties to the British Empire and there are more nations on the waiting list to join.

The Commonwealth will not sanction member states by force, but when governments violate Commonwealth principles, they can be suspended. This was the case with Zimbabwe in 2002 following allegations of rigged elections in the country. As membership is voluntary, countries can also withdraw from the association. The Gambia was the most recent example, withdrawing in 2013, describing the Commonwealth as a “neo-colonial institution”.

In the meantime many undemocratic states remain members of the Commonwealth.

James Astill, political editor of The Economist, in a BBC forum questioned the institution’s purpose:

“The Commonwealth has hardly any geopolitical role or relevance. It is a large and somewhat anomalous club, which devotes most of its energies to maintaining its strange existence. Being a former member of the British Empire is useful, as there is evidence that former colonies are more likely to trade with each other than with other countries.”

Now back to Malta, there is at present an attempt to give the impression that CHOGM has some very important reference to our lives and outlook to international relations. It could, if people in the Commonwealth did not have their own problems to worry about.

If you ask me, our lack of character in the Greek bailout affair beckons me to ask whether we should even consider ourselves fit to debate international affairs.

Most Maltese couldn’t give a hoot what happens beyond our shores and most polls show that our sympathy for the Greeks is incredibly non-existent. That is solidarity for you.

The Greeks, by the way, were in the European Union years before Malta, and were rather positive about our membership aspirations.

In Europe, we stood by as the Germans showed their unfortunate streak and underlined that this dream we had of Europe is one big, bad joke.

CHOGM, unlike the European Union, is a loose organisation that meets rather sparsely and when it does come together it is more about bringing together men and women in their national costumes for a group photo.

When a survey was held in Jamaica a quarter thought Barack Obama was head of the Commonwealth.

I am sure if we were to ask what the Commonwealth has ever achieved, the vast majority would not be able to answer the question.  Indeed it would be quite interesting to see what answers most people would come up with.

There are of course positive things, one could mention scholarships, but again here there have been accusations that the candidates awarded such scholarships are usually limited to the elite.

Then there are positive aspects related to trade, which is probably the most important reason for keeping the Commonwealth alive. Many countries look at the Commonwealth as a networking forum for trade. Intra-Commonwealth exports exceed $225 billion a year, and apparently this has risen by over a quarter in the last two decades.

And this when the value and vision of the Commonwealth had originally been in preserving the UK’s interests in the world to her ex-colonies. The strength of the Commonwealth was there to provide nations with the framework and wherewithal to pursue democracy and good governance.

As we approach CHOGM we will hear more arguments about the relevance of the Commonwealth. I will be listening and I hope more people will be doing the same.

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The Sai Mizzi saga has now reached epic proportions.  Sai Mizzi’s appointment raised eyebrows two years ago because she was a minister’s wife.  

The government stood by its decision and the opposition hit out at the government for its unethical decision.

This week PN leader Simon Busuttil travelled to China at the invitation of the Chinese Communist party. 

At the same time Sai Mizzi (Konrad Mizzi’s wife) accompanied the Huawei executives to Malta. A big venture is announced as Simon Busuttil is landing in Beijing.

The timing is more than telling.

After a theatrical and emotional introduction at the Huawei launch Sai Mizzi then takes another trip back to Shanghai, China, to be in time to meet up with Simon Busuttil.

Busuttil accepts to meet Sai Mizzi in her office and to listen to what she has to say.  

As they meet a PN statement is issued scolding Sai Mizzi for not doing enough to get investment from China. The government responds by saying that Busuttil never uttered these words or thoughts to Sai Mizzi during the meeting.

The truth is that the fixation with Sai Mizzi could very well backfire. Konrad Mizzi’s wife is not exactly someone who is willing to back down and disappear from the scene. In fact it is very clear that she is more than defiant.

And the big question is whether Simon Busuttil’s encounter with Sai Mizzi was the right thing to do.