Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group

Several Eminent Persons Groups, abbreviated to EPG, have been founded by the Commonwealth of Nations.

1985 Eminent Persons Group

The first EPG was established at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1985, held in Nassau. It was tasked to investigate and report on apartheid in South Africa. It reported ahead of the special Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1986, held in London. Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and former Nigerian Head of State Olusegun Obasanjo were appointed as the EPG's Co-Chairmen.^[1] The group visited South Africa twice in early 1986, meeting with members of the South African government, as well as Nelson Mandela. During an official visit to South Africa in May 1986 the South African government launched cross-border attacks on supposed ANC bases in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.^[2] As a result the EPG's discussions with the government deteriorated and the EPG initiative was curtailed.^[1] On the 12 June 1986 the group published their conclusion that there was "no genuine intention on the part of the South African government to dismantle apartheid".^[1] They subsequently recommended economic sanctions against South Africa.^[1] The EPG's report on publication sold 55 000 copies in its first week, going on to be translated into multiple languages and read worldwide.^[3]