SADC summit begins in Maputo

By Tichaona Sibanda
5 November 2009

A SADC Summit on Zimbabwe, aimed at reviving the troubled inclusive government, kicked off in Maputo, Mozambique on Thursday.

Host President Armando Guebuza called on all the parties to the stalled agreement to bridge their differences over the implementation of the Global Political Agreement.

Guebuza, who chairs the SADC Troika on Defence, Security and Politics, told delegates at the official opening of the summit that the warring parties should capitalize on the meeting in order to find a solution that will bring peace in Zimbabwe and the region.

Maputo based journalist Fred Katerere told SW Radio Africa that Guebuza’s statement was an indicator that regional leaders were worried about the consequences of the situation sliding back into violence and instability.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s disengagement from ZANU PF three weeks ago further endangered the already fragile unity government. The MDC leader has also been critical of SADC for failing to show commitment - as the brokers of the agreement - to review the GPA and ministerial positions after six months, as had been promised during a January 26, 2009 summit.

Katerere told us SADC were now pushing for all sides to iron out their differences so as to enhance peace and stability in Zimbabwe.

‘SADC executive secretary Tomaz Salomao told journalists before the summit that there was commitment from all the parties to make the political agreement work, to make the unity government work, so perhaps the leaders might help bridge the differences between Tsvangirai and Mugabe,’ Katerere said.

Apart from Guebuza, King Mswati of Swaziland is in Maputo, while Zambian President Rupiah Banda has sent a representative. Jacob Zuma, leader of the regional powerbroker South Africa is also there and SADC chair Joseph Kabila sent a representative.

Discussions are expected to continue well into Thursday evening and observers are hoping that SADC will, for the first time, pressure Mugabe to abide by his side of the agreement.