Is SADC Ready To Act On Zim?

THE meeting of heads of state of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), currently underway in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is an important test for leaders of the sub-continent.

While the burning issue on the agenda must undoubtedly be the Zimbabwe question, there are other priorities which require SADC input and one is the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Most observers were sceptical that there would be a break with the past ‘quiet diplomacy’ in favour of a more vocal SADC response to the Zimbabwe situation, but this we will only know for a fact when the summit ends today.It is unlikely though, that the more outspoken sentiments of Levy Mwanawasa (the Zambian head of state) will be echoed by the conference.What SADC leaders need to realise as a matter of urgency is that what happens in Zimbabwe most certainly has a ripple effect throughout the entire region.This has already been manifest in the millions of Zimbabwean economic (but also political) refugees, who are taking refuge in other southern African countries, most noticeably South Africa.This obviously, aside from the fact that Zimbabweans themselves are suffering under a heavy yoke of economic suffering as well as political repression under an increasingly authoritarian government.Unfortunately, however, it seems that SADC leaders are nervous about being labelled as ‘Western puppets’ if they dare to condemn the trampling of human rights in Zimbabwe.And the spin-doctors of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe are already out, saying that he will be seeking ‘African solidarity’ at the summit and allies in his fight against the West, Britain in particular.A Mugabe spokesman emphasised that “he (Mugabe) will continue to tell the West to go hang as long as those (Western) concerns undermine the sovereignty of the country”.The West may have their own agenda, and Mugabe can dismiss them as he chooses.But it is time for southern African nations, independent in thought and action, to state their case without fear or favour.A strongly worded statement on the Zimbabwe question, particularly vis-à-vis human rights, is already too little, too late.But it would be better than nothing, and it would truly empower the people of this sub-continent to know that their political leadership has the courage to speak out.If this came about, and we are not sure that southern African leaders are ready or brave enough yet to take this step, it would not constitute interference in the affairs of a sovereign nation, as many fear.It is simply that SADC countries need to state their views clearly, for like it or not, the situation affects them as well.Mugabe would be less likely to tell his comrades and allies to ‘go hang’ than Bush and Blair.And who knows, optimistic though it may sound and doubtful though it may be, he may even be coerced to change.SADC leaders are also well aware that in time, when the government in Zimbabwe eventually changes, they would welcome Mugabe’s successor into the fold, whether from Zanu-PF or the opposition.They’ve done it before as governments have changed from dictatorial heads of state to more democratic leadership in the sub-continent, no matter how vociferous their support was for the previous incumbent.All democratic-minded people would be hoping the political leadership at the SADC summit will not let them down, and that they will fly in the face of cynical observers who predict no change, and state their case firmly yet irrevocably on the Zimbabwe issue.If not, they are party to the interminable economic hardship and political bloodshed that have come to characterise the day-to-day lives of people in that country.Most observers were sceptical that there would be a break with the past ‘quiet diplomacy’ in favour of a more vocal SADC response to the Zimbabwe situation, but this we will only know for a fact when the summit ends today.It is unlikely though, that the more outspoken sentiments of Levy Mwanawasa (the Zambian head of state) will be echoed by the conference.What SADC leaders need to realise as a matter of urgency is that what happens in Zimbabwe most certainly has a ripple effect throughout the entire region.This has already been manifest in the millions of Zimbabwean economic (but also political) refugees, who are taking refuge in other southern African countries, most noticeably South Africa.This obviously, aside from the fact that Zimbabweans themselves are suffering under a heavy yoke of economic suffering as well as political repression under an increasingly authoritarian government.Unfortunately, however, it seems that SADC leaders are nervous about being labelled as ‘Western puppets’ if they dare to condemn the trampling of human rights in Zimbabwe.And the spin-doctors of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe are already out, saying that he will be seeking ‘African solidarity’ at the summit and allies in his fight against the West, Britain in particular.A Mugabe spokesman emphasised that “he (Mugabe) will continue to tell the West to go hang as long as those (Western) concerns undermine the sovereignty of the country”.The West may have their own agenda, and Mugabe can dismiss them as he chooses.But it is time for southern African nations, independent in thought and action, to state their case without fear or favour.A strongly worded statement on the Zimbabwe question, particularly vis-à-vis human rights, is already too little, too late.But it would be better than nothing, and it would truly empower the people of this sub-continent to know that their political leadership has the courage to speak out.If this came about, and we are not sure that southern African leaders are ready or brave enough yet to take this step, it would not constitute interference in the affairs of a sovereign nation, as many fear.It is simply that SADC countries need to state their views clearly, for like it or not, the situation affects them as well.Mugabe would be less likely to tell his comrades and allies to ‘go hang’ than Bush and Blair.And who knows, optimistic though it may sound and doubtful though it may be, he may even be coerced to change.SADC leaders are also well aware that in time, when the government in Zimbabwe eventually changes, they would welcome Mugabe’s successor into the fold, whether from Zanu-PF or the opposition.They’ve done it before as governments have changed from dictatorial heads of state to more democratic leadership in the sub-continent, no matter how vociferous their support was for the previous incumbent.All democratic-minded people would be hoping the political leadership at the SADC summit will not let them down, and that they will fly in the face of cynical observers who predict no change, and state their case firmly yet irrevocably on the Zimbabwe issue.If not, they are party to the interminable economic hardship and political bloodshed that have come to characterise the day-to-day lives of people in that country.