SADC failure to act kills hope for Zimbabweans

By Tererai Karimakwenda
20 August 2007

The excitement and hope that preceded the meeting of leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has died. It had been hoped by many that the regional grouping would finally take some decisive action on the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe as its impact on neighbouring countries is now weighing on them heavily. And the pressure on South Africa’s president Thabo Mbeki as the SADC appointed mediator had also raised the stakes and instilled hope in Zimbabweans that something would finally happen. But SADC leaders once again failed to censor Robert Mugabe or adopt a plan to pressure him for change.

Mbeki’s anxiously awaited report and statements by the incoming SADC chairman both dashed any hopes for a resolution of the deteriorating situation on the ground, and any hopes of African pressure on the Mugabe regime to abide by regional standards. The report simply said the ruling party and the opposition in Zimbabwe had agreed on 60% of the agenda items for mediated talks, but not much else about it was revealed to the press. The leaders who were privileged to hear it were obviously gagged by Mbeki’s controversial “quiet diplomacy” approach.

Zambian authorities also cooperated with their Zimbabwean counterparts by deporting activists headed for the summit in Lusaka. As if to add insult to injury the economic report on Zimbabwe prepared by SADC executive secretary Tomaz Augusto Salomao, was not adopted. Some journalists say his report included an economic rescue package that had tough conditions for the Mugabe regime, including constitutional and electoral reforms and a return to the rule of law. Leaders were divided over the report, with Mugabe and others blaming ‘sanctions’ for Zimbabwe’s woes. Other journalists said that the economic rescue package had no conditions at all attached to it. The virtual press blackout has created all this confusion.

So where does this leave Zimbabweans? Political analyst Dr. John Makumbe said it was “unwise” of anyone to expect results from SADC, just as it is unwise to expect the African Union to act on Zimbabwe. He explained that since the last summit in March this year, the situation in Zimbabwe had deteriorated further, yet SADC leaders were not mindful of this and they acted as though progress had been made.

Makumbe said SADC’s failure to act this time should bring home the fact that Zimbabweans must accept that ‘we are our own liberators.’ Asked what options Zimbabweans have he said: “There is always the non-violent civic approach to organised resistance.” The outspoken commentator believes what is needed is street action by large numbers of people on a daily basis to pressure the Mugabe regime. He said this will require leaders who are not afraid and can sacrifice by leading from the front. People will be beaten and arrested but they should regroup and continue. This would make it costly for the Mugabe regime. Asked if there is such leadership in Zimbabwe, Makumbe said: “The people are ready but the leaders are ‘luke warm’.”

Makumbe said the talks mediated by Mbeki had actually made things worse because all street action stopped as Zimbabwe awaits results. He added: “It has put a damper on the courage of the leadership and left them all saying ‘Give Mbeki a chance’.”