Civil societies expressing concern over Mbeki’s mediation (14-08-07)

gime, CAJ News can reveal.

Frank Mwanga, of a Blantyre human rights watchdog in Malawi told CAJ News on Tuesday that President Mbeki has done completely “nothing” to suggest that there were serious talks between Zanu PF and the country’s main opposition of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which are aimed at ending the seven year economic and political stalemate in Zimbabwe.

“I am not so sure if president Mbeki will be able to convince his fellow SADC regional heads of states over his capabilities in mediating in the Zimbabwean crisis. President Mbeki is a well known admirer of Mugabe, and very soon he would start singing Mugabe’s songs in the SADC feedback meeting scheduled for Lusaka, Zambia,” said Mwanga.

Echoing same sentiments was the Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF), Gabrial Shumba, who questioned president Mbeki’s mediation.

“President Mbeki is strategically positioned to mediate in the talks, not least because he heards the most powerful economy and one of the most functional democracy in Africa. However, there is a growing perception among civil society actors, as well as opposition parties in Zimbabwe that President Mbeki shows signs of bias towards ZANU (PF). This perception has been fuelled not only by his refusal to acknowlege the human rights abuses in the country, but also his government and party’s endorsement of past rigged elections,” said Shumba.

He said there was some sceptisism about President Mbeki’s faithfulness, honesty and sincerity in his mediation since there is no public pronouncement on talks.

He added: “Since the talks have mostly been shrouded in secrecy, ZEF feels that it is premature to comment on progress or lack of it. However, the view can’t be avoided that where there is not public pronouncement on same, there is bound to be sceptisism.”

Oliver Kubikwa, the Secretary-General of the Zimbabwe Political Victims Association (ZIPOVA), rubbished the talks by President Mbeki arguing that “nothing tangible” could be brought forward to the SADC regional heads of state.

“Truely, there is nothing tangible to come out of the talks led by Mbeki. President Mbeki is just buying time. I don’t think Mbeki will be able to present a proper and well detailed report on the on-going talks between Zanu PF and MDC. Zimbabweans abroad would want Mbeki and the SADC member states force Mugabe allow the millions of fellow countrymen to vote in the forthcoming elections if we are to accept the progress made by president Mbeki,” said Kubikwa.

He said Zimbabweans at this point in time were not pressuring and advocating for the plucking off of such draconian laws such the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) among other bad laws, but pointed out that the immediate issue is to allow the millions in the disapora to cast their votes.

Kubikwa also called for the SADC, African Union (AU) and the United Nations monitors to be allowed into the country three months well ahead of the historic elections.

Kapomba Mulenga of Kabwe, Zambia, said his Zambian president, Levy Mwanawasa should be given the opportunity to mediate in the Zimbabwean crisis arguing that Mbeki was “always” dancing to Mugabe’s tune- CAJ News.