DAR ES SALAAM – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe arrived late yesterday afternoon to attend a summit of southern African leaders to discuss the crisis in his country, as opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was once again arrested in Harare.
The emergency two-day summit of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC), hosted by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, was called amid a growing global outcry over turmoil in Zimbabwe. Wednesday’s arrest increased the pressure on SADC chiefs arriving in Tanzania to speak out against Zimbabwe.While Western nations have sharply condemned Mugabe since opposition leaders were arrested and then assaulted ahead of a planned anti-government rally earlier this month, SADC countries have been noticeably more muted in their response, even though they have most to lose from the fallout.Tanzanian officials said SADC chiefs would try to convince Mugabe – reputed for his stubbornness – to meet the MDC leaders in a bid to dissolve mounting acrimony that threatens the stability of the African nation.But a former Mugabe ally told Britain’s The Guardian newspaper yesterday that regional leaders would go further and tell Mugabe that he is dragging Southern Africa down and must retire when his term expires next year.”They will remind Mugabe that he told them he would retire at the end of this term in 2008.They will tell him he must do that,” said Jonathan Moyo, an information minister until he fell out with Mugabe in 2005 when he decided to contest elections as an independent.”The statement issued at the close of the summit will not strongly condemn Mugabe, that is not the way SADC works.But I am certain that in the meeting the leaders will have told him in no uncertain terms that he must retire,” said Moyo.”I have been to these SADC summits and I know that behind closed doors the leaders are brutally frank,” Moyo told the daily.”They will tell Mugabe that his rule in Zimbabwe is dragging down the whole southern African region.They will say Zimbabwe’s economic collapse is negatively affecting all neighbouring countries,” said Moyo.While SADC heads of state were arriving for their emergency summit in Tanzania, South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe addressed the South African parliament during a special debate on Zimbabwe yesterday.Van der Merwe called on Mugabe to create a climate conducive for political dialogue in his country.”The current Zimbabwean situation is a manifestation of the absence of open political dialogue, which is regrettably sinking the country into a deeper economic and political crisis from which only Zimbabweans can extricate themselves,” she told MPs in the National Assembly.Speaking during a special debate on Zimbabwe, she said the latest political developments there, including the arrest, detention and assaults of senior opposition leaders, were a major cause for concern.”The South African government wishes to express its concern, disappointment, and disapproval of the measures undertaken by the security forces in dealing with the political protests,” she said.”South Africa urges the government of Zimbabwe to ensure that the rule of law and human rights of Zimbabwean citizens are respected.The South African government calls on the Zimbabwean government to create a climate conducive for political dialogue.”She also called on the Zimbabwean opposition to participate unreservedly in efforts aimed at finding a lasting solution to the current situation faced by the people of Zimbabwe.The Zimbabwean opposition yesterday said that it would not participate in next year’s election if the constitution was not changed to ensure free and fair elections.Van der Merwe said in the run-up to next year’s presidential election, it was important that the main political protagonists agreed on a framework that would guarantee the credibility of these elections.”It is important in view of the fact that the outcome of the last two presidential elections was contested.”South Africa firmly believed that respect for the rule of law and human rights and initiation of an enduring political process would pave the way for the resolution of Zimbabwean problems.This would lay a solid foundation for political stability, economic revival, and social cohesion, as well as enable Zimbabwe to occupy its rightful place, she said.As other experiences had demonstrated, punitive measures, or any other action constituting the erosion of Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty, such as those contemplated by certain countries, would exacerbate the problem, further deepening the political and economic situation faced by Zimbabweans.”The South African government has and will always insist that the only viable and sustainable solution to the political and socio-economic challenges facing Zimbabwe lies in all-inclusive dialogue by Zimbabweans,” Van der Merwe said.Nampa-AFP-SapaWednesday’s arrest increased the pressure on SADC chiefs arriving in Tanzania to speak out against Zimbabwe.While Western nations have sharply condemned Mugabe since opposition leaders were arrested and then assaulted ahead of a planned anti-government rally earlier this month, SADC countries have been noticeably more muted in their response, even though they have most to lose from the fallout.Tanzanian officials said SADC chiefs would try to convince Mugabe – reputed for his stubbornness – to meet the MDC leaders in a bid to dissolve mounting acrimony that threatens the stability of the African nation. But a former Mugabe ally told Britain’s The Guardian newspaper yesterday that regional leaders would go further and tell Mugabe that he is dragging Southern Africa down and must retire when his term expires next year.”They will remind Mugabe that he told them he would retire at the end of this term in 2008.They will tell him he must do that,” said Jonathan Moyo, an information minister until he fell out with Mugabe in 2005 when he decided to contest elections as an independent.”The statement issued at the close of the summit will not strongly condemn Mugabe, that is not the way SADC works.But I am certain that in the meeting the leaders will have told him in no uncertain terms that he must retire,” said Moyo.”I have been to these SADC summits and I know that behind closed doors the leaders are brutally frank,” Moyo told the daily.”They will tell Mugabe that his rule in Zimbabwe is dragging down the whole southern African region.They will say Zimbabwe’s economic collapse is negatively affecting all neighbouring countries,” said Moyo.While SADC heads of state were arriving for their emergency summit in Tanzania, South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe addressed the South African parliament during a special debate on Zimbabwe yesterday.Van der Merwe called on Mugabe to create a climate conducive for political dialogue in his country.”The current Zimbabwean situation is a manifestation of the absence of open political dialogue, which is regrettably sinking the country into a deeper economic and political crisis from which only Zimbabweans can extricate themselves,” she told MPs in the National Assembly.Speaking during a special debate on Zimbabwe, she said the latest political developments there, including the arrest, detention and assaults of senior opposition leaders, were a major cause for concern.”The South African government wishes to express its concern, disappointment, and disapproval of the measures undertaken by the security forces in dealing with the political protests,” she said.”South Africa urges the government of Zimbabwe to ensure that the rule of law and human rights of Zimbabwean citizens are respected.The South African government calls on the Zimbabwean government to create a climate conducive for political dialogue.”She also called on the Zimbabwean opposition to participate unreservedly in efforts aimed at finding a lasting solution to the current situation faced by the people of Zimbabwe.The Zimbabwean opposition yesterday said that it would not participate in next year’s election if the constitution was not changed to ensure free and fair elections.Van de
r Merwe said in the run-up to next year’s presidential election, it was important that the main political protagonists agreed on a framework that would guarantee the credibility of these elections.”It is important in view of the fact that the outcome of the last two presidential elections was contested.”South Africa firmly believed that respect for the rule of law and human rights and initiation of an enduring political process would pave the way for the resolution of Zimbabwean problems.This would lay a solid foundation for political stability, economic revival, and social cohesion, as well as enable Zimbabwe to occupy its rightful place, she said.As other experiences had demonstrated, punitive measures, or any other action constituting the erosion of Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty, such as those contemplated by certain countries, would exacerbate the problem, further deepening the political and economic situation faced by Zimbabweans.”The South African government has and will always insist that the only viable and sustainable solution to the political and socio-economic challenges facing Zimbabwe lies in all-inclusive dialogue by Zimbabweans,” Van der Merwe said.Nampa-AFP-Sapa
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