Zimbabwe crisis takes centre stage at SADC summit

By Tichaona Sibanda
16 August 2007

In Lusaka, Zambia South African President Thabo Mbeki is believed to have briefed his Southern African Development Community counterparts on the progress of his mediation talks between the ruling Zanu (PF) and the opposition MDC.

No statement was issued after the closed door session Thursday, although a SADC communiqué is expected to be issued at the close of the two day summit on Friday. But observers are dismayed after Zimbabwean Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa went on television in Lusaka and dismissed the suggestion that his government might open dialogue with the MDC, who he accused of carrying out violent acts against innocent civilians in an attempt to seize power.

Nelson Chamisa quickly shot down the accusations saying Chinamasa’s allegation is unfounded, especially after the High court in Harare cleared all its activists on terrorism charges

Sources told Newsreel the atmosphere prevailing in Lusaka was not promising considering the stance being taken by the incoming chair of the bloc, Zambia. Since Monday the state media in Lusaka has been carrying reports favourable to the Mugabe regime, some suggesting the idea of SADC working with a reformed Zanu (PF). National Constitutional Assembly activist Philani Zamchiya said the stance being taken by the Zambian media is probably what their government is pushing for, during the summit.

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa in his opening address called on the people of Zimbabwe to maintain peace at all costs. Press reports said Mwanawasa told delegates the SADC organisation was always ready to assist where it can to resolve the problems affecting member countries.

Reports quote the incoming chairman of the regional bloc saying; ‘My advice to my brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe is: Maintain peace and stability at all costs. In the meantime, SADC is there for you.’

In March Mwanawasa likened the crisis in Zimbabwe to the sinking of the Titanic, but has since toned downed his criticism of the regime.

SADC executive secretary Tomaz Salomao told journalists that the grouping had a range of options for Zimbabwe including a ‘hard line,’ ‘quiet diplomacy’ or a ‘different’ method. But there was no clarity on what these different options were.

While analysts point out that SADC had grown tired of the deepening political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, they seem to have little idea what to do about the problem, apart from banking on Mbeki’s progress report to determine a course of action.

‘From what we have seen and heard so far, all odds are against the democratic forces in Zimbabwe but only when Mbeki releases his report to the public can we be certain,’ said one source.