Senior ANC official calls for UN pressure on Mugabe

By Tererai Karimakwenda
08 August, 2007

The Cape Argus newspaper reports that Kader Asmal, a senior ANC member and former cabinet minister, has suggested that the United Nations Security Council be involved in dealing with the crisis in Zimbabwe. Addressing journalists at the Cape Town Press Club Asmal said he “detested what he was seeing in Zimbabwe” and much “more drastic” options were needed beyond the mediation by President Thabo Mbeki.

The report said Asmal wants South Africa to turn to the UN Security Council to put pressure on Robert Mugabe to embrace democracy. He also said he did not believe Mugabe should run in the next election.
Officials in Mbeki’s ruling party have avoided making critical comments about Robert Mugabe or the mess that has developed due to his policies. This is in line with Mbeki’s policy of “quiet diplomacy” for which he has been criticised for years now as the situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate.

Asmal’s statement may not change much for Zimbabweans in South Africa or at home across the border, but many view it as a strong indication that the tide of African opinion has shifted and Mugabe is gradually losing support. The Cape Argus report described it as “one of the strongest statements to date from a senior ANC member and former cabinet minister about the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe.”
Asmal made the comments soon after he delivered the inaugural memorial lecture honouring the late veteran South African journalist Barry Streek. Responding to a question about what South Africa could do, he said: "I think we need to go to the Security Council. I know it is unpopular to say that.”