SADC Muddy The Water On Zimbabwe

I have yet to understand why Mugabe is permitted to get away with everything. Regional leaders and SADC seem to sit and watch him commit the worst crimes of all, and refuse to do anything to stop him.

I do believe that SADC have no clue what to do about Mugabe.

If that is the case, then why do they insist on having him as a member of the various institutions?

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"Leaders of the Southern Africa Development Community called late on Thursday for an end to political violence in Zimbabwe.

Tensions are rising in the resource rich state as an uneasy unity government comes apart at the seams and as President Robert Mugabe, 87, pushes for elections this year.

There must be an immediate end to violence, intimidation, hate speech, harassment, and any other form of action that contradicts the letter and spirit of dialogue," the leaders from the regional bloc said in a statement after meeting in the Zambian resort of Livingstone.

The meeting of SADC's security organ was attended by Zambia's President Rupiah Banda, South African President Jacob Zuma and their Mozambican counterpart Armando Guebuza.

Mugabe and Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai were also in attendance."

Requesting politely that Mugabe desist from his acts of violence and intimidation is not going to glean any results whatsoever. Remedial action is urgently required, and I am not so sure that Mugabe needs to be consulted.

"SADC has been criticised in the past for being too soft on Mugabe but the tone of its leaders has been stiffening as the country lurches from crisis to crisis. What this ultimately means on the ground in the troubled country remains to be seen.

Mugabe, who was forced into a unity government with rival Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) two years ago, is pushing for an early election this year before agreed democratic reforms.

Friction is heating up between Mugabe's ZANU PF party and the MDC over political violence, the cancellations of opposition rallies and the arrest of MDC officials on what the party sees as trumped-up charges.

The Southern African Development Community also called for the completion of constitutional amendments and a referendum.

The government of Zimbabwe should undertake "all the steps necessary for the holding of elections," SADC’s executive- secretary, Tomaz Salomao, told a press conference in Livingstone, Zambia, today following a summit of the 15-nation group."

So there you have it. SADC have stated that violence should stop... That ought to fix it!

Then, SADC, adding insult to injury, has decided that Arthur Mutambara - deposed head of the smaller faction of the MDC - is the principle representing that faction in the coalition agreement...

When Thabo Mbeki, the original mediator was succeeded by Jacob Zuma as South African president, did we see a like statement as to who was the SADC-appointed mediator?

No.

So how can Mutambara continue as principle?

"The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation says it still recognises Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara as a principal in the inclusive Government.

The organ said it had received no formal advice as to any changes.

This follows attempts by new MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube to replace DPM Mutambara following a party congress earlier this year.

Sources revealed last night that the Troika - comprising Presidents Rupiah Banda (Zambia), Jacob Zuma (South Africa) and Armando Guebuza (Mozambique) - took the decision before the summit met to discuss Zimbabwe's political situation."

Have SADC been asleep? Have they not read or learned of the succession in the smaller faction of the MDC?

This is just pandering to one Robert Gabriel Mugabe...

And the summit 'discussed' Zimbabwe for a couple of hours... but we read of no resolution or agreement as to the way forward...

"The Troika started by deliberating the political and security situation in Madagascar and then discussed Zimbabwe for a couple of hours."

So SADC say they have not been formally informed of the changes, so they choose to ignore them. Good darts!

Is it any wonder that SADC recognise Mugabe as the 'duly elected' Zimbabwean leader?

Robb WJ Ellis

The Bearded Man