The ousted leader joked at the signing of the long awaited power sharing deal that he hoped not to return to Zimbabwe again – after battling to facilitate a deal as the Southern African Development Community appointed mediator in the political crisis.
Mbeki’s forced resignation as South Africa’s President raised questions over his continued role as the mediator but SADC officials, not long after issuing their support for Mbeki to continue, have confirmed he is headed back to Harare this week. His mediation efforts, although widely criticised, have again been called for after Robert Mugabe and the leader of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai once again failed to agree on the distribution of cabinet posts – resulting in yet another political stalemate.
Despite the ongoing impasse that has left millions of Zimbabweans facing an increasingly desperate situation, SADC and Mbeki himself have appeared passive and seemingly reluctant to re-renter Zimbabwe’s political fight. The confusion that reigned over Mbeki’s continued role and SADC’s inability to take charge and clarify the situation, has done little to help resolve the crisis that threatens any hope of a better future.
Human rights activist and chair of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Elinor Sisulu told Newsreel on Monday that it would appear that SADC is “at a loss as what to do,” and explained that “Mbeki in his current siutation does not have the power he once had as head of state.” Sisulu continued by saying that Mbeki will also be reluctant to step back from his widely criticised appraoch of quiet diplomacy, and argued that SADC now needs to bring a different dynamic to the table as “the point of negotitions is over.”
Sisulu said: “Mbeki needs to recuse himself from the mediation efforts because it is clear that Zimbabwe has entered a new stage in the poltiical fray.”
Post published in: News